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Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 79

Use data from Appendix C to calculate the equilibrium constant, K, and ΔG° at 298 K for each of the following reactions: (a) H2(g) + I2(g) ⇌ 2 HI(g) (b) C2H5OH(g) ⇌ C2H4(g) + H2O(g) (c) 3 C2H2(g) ⇌ C6H6(g)

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Identify the standard Gibbs free energy of formation (ΔG°f) for each reactant and product from Appendix C for each reaction at 298 K.
Step 2: Calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) for each reaction using the formula: ΔG° = Σ(ΔG°f of products) - Σ(ΔG°f of reactants).
Step 3: Use the relationship between ΔG° and the equilibrium constant (K) given by the equation: ΔG° = -RT ln(K), where R is the universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K) and T is the temperature in Kelvin (298 K).
Step 4: Rearrange the equation from Step 3 to solve for the equilibrium constant (K): K = e^(-ΔG°/RT).
Step 5: Substitute the calculated ΔG° from Step 2 into the equation from Step 4 to find the equilibrium constant (K) for each reaction.

Key Concepts

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

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant, K, is a dimensionless value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. It is calculated using the formula K = [products]^[coefficients] / [reactants]^[coefficients]. A large K value indicates that products are favored at equilibrium, while a small K value suggests that reactants are favored.
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Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG°)

Gibbs free energy, ΔG°, is a thermodynamic potential that indicates the spontaneity of a reaction at constant temperature and pressure. It is related to the equilibrium constant by the equation ΔG° = -RT ln(K), where R is the universal gas constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin. A negative ΔG° value suggests that the reaction is spontaneous in the forward direction.
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Standard Conditions

Standard conditions refer to a set of specific conditions (usually 1 atm pressure and 298 K temperature) under which thermodynamic measurements are made. These conditions are essential for calculating standard Gibbs free energy changes and equilibrium constants, ensuring consistency and comparability of data across different reactions and studies.
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