Bond Dissociation Energy Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the heat of combustion for propane (C3H8) using bond dissociation energies. The initial calculations included incorrect bond counts, leading to erroneous results. After reevaluating the number of bonds in the reactants and products, the correct calculation was achieved. The final heat of combustion was determined to be -2034 kJ/mol, confirming the exothermic nature of the reaction. Accurate tracking of bonds in the balanced equation was crucial for arriving at the correct answer.
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Homework Statement


Calculate an approximate heat of combustion for propane (C3H8) in kilojoules per mole by using the bond dissociation energies in the table. (The strength of the O=O bond is 498 kJ/mol, and that of a C=O bond in CO2 is 804 kJ/mol.)

Homework Equations


C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
ΔHrxn = ΣD(reactants) - ΣD(products)
http://imgur.com/a/G6e1A

The Attempt at a Solution


Looked at propane model found 8 C-H bonds and 2 C-C bonds.
5 O-O (double bonds) found in oxygen
2 C-O bonds found in carbon dioxide
2 H-O bonds found in water

(8(410)+2(350)+5(490)) - (2(804)+4(2*460))= 1182 kJ/mol (obviously not right. Combustion is exothermic) Could anyone help?
 
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How many CO2 molecules are in your balanced equation? How many did you include in your bond energy calculation?
 
TeethWhitener said:
How many CO2 molecules are in your balanced equation? How many did you include in your bond energy calculation?
There are 3CO2 molecules equaling 3(2*350) = 3(700). I reworked it again. Getting [8(410)+2(350)+5(498)] - [3(804)+4(2*460)] = -1672 kJ/mol. But that is also wrong and I only have one more chance to answer it. I'm positive I'm counting the number of bonds of one molecule incorrectly.

Edit: Nevermind. I wrote everything down this time and got it right. I was getting lost in my head keeping track of which molecules were on the reactants side and which were on the products. I arrived at -2034 kJ/mol which is the correct answer.
 
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