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Ch.5 - Thermochemistry
Chapter 5, Problem 85

(a) Use enthalpies of formation given in Appendix C to calculate _x001F_H for the reaction Br2(g) → 2 Br(g), and use this value to estimate the bond enthalpy D(Br–Br). (b) How large is the difference between the value calculated in part (a) and the value given in Table 5.4?

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction: Br2(g) → 2 Br(g).
Step 2: Use the standard enthalpy of formation values (ΔH_f°) from Appendix C for Br2(g) and Br(g). Note that the standard enthalpy of formation for an element in its standard state, like Br2(g), is zero.
Step 3: Apply Hess's Law to calculate the enthalpy change (ΔH) for the reaction using the formula: ΔH = Σ(ΔH_f° of products) - Σ(ΔH_f° of reactants).
Step 4: Recognize that the calculated ΔH for the reaction represents the bond enthalpy D(Br–Br) because breaking one mole of Br2(g) into two moles of Br(g) involves breaking the Br–Br bond.
Step 5: Compare the calculated bond enthalpy D(Br–Br) with the value given in Table 5.4 to determine the difference.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enthalpy of Formation

Enthalpy of formation is the change in enthalpy when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their standard states. It is a crucial concept in thermodynamics, as it allows for the calculation of the overall energy change in chemical reactions. By using standard enthalpies of formation, one can determine the enthalpy change for reactions involving multiple substances.
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Bond Enthalpy

Bond enthalpy, or bond dissociation energy, is the energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond in a gaseous substance. It reflects the strength of a bond; stronger bonds have higher bond enthalpies. In the context of the reaction Br2(g) → 2 Br(g), the bond enthalpy D(Br–Br) can be estimated from the enthalpy change calculated for the reaction.
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Thermochemical Equations

Thermochemical equations represent the relationship between heat and chemical reactions, often including the enthalpy change associated with the reaction. These equations allow chemists to quantify energy changes and compare them with tabulated values, such as those found in standard tables. Understanding how to manipulate these equations is essential for calculating differences in enthalpy values, as required in part (b) of the question.
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