Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Enthalpy Change (ΔH°)
The enthalpy change (ΔH°) of a reaction indicates whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic. In the case of the hydrogenation of ethene to form ethane, the reaction releases energy as new C-H bonds are formed, resulting in a negative ΔH°. This signifies that the products are more stable than the reactants due to the formation of stronger bonds.
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Entropy Change (ΔS°)
Entropy change (ΔS°) measures the disorder or randomness in a system. In the hydrogenation reaction, two gaseous reactants (ethene and hydrogen) combine to form one gaseous product (ethane), leading to a decrease in the number of gas molecules. This results in a negative ΔS°, indicating a reduction in the system's disorder as the reaction proceeds.
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Catalysis
Catalysis involves the use of a catalyst to increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. In this reaction, platinum acts as a catalyst, facilitating the addition of hydrogen across the double bond of ethene. The presence of the catalyst lowers the activation energy required for the reaction, allowing it to proceed more efficiently at room temperature.
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