Calculate Heat of Combustion of Graphite

AI Thread Summary
The heat of combustion for graphite and carbon monoxide is given as 394 kJ/mol and 283 kJ/mol, respectively. When 12g of graphite is combusted incompletely, both CO and CO2 are produced in equal volumes. The discussion revolves around calculating the total heat generated from this combustion process, with the correct answer identified as 253 kJ. Participants clarify the number of moles involved, confirming that 1 mole of carbon is combusted, producing 0.5 moles each of CO and CO2. The final heat released is calculated based on these values, leading to the conclusion that the minimum heat generated is indeed 253 kJ.
Hamal_Arietis
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Homework Statement


The heat of combustion of graphite and that of CO is 394kJ/mol and 283 kJ/mol, respectively. When 12g of graphite is combusted incompletely, the same volume of CO and CO2 are generated. Calculate the heat of generated by this combustion. Choose the closet value.(kJ)
A.197 B.253 C.308 D.339 E.505 F.677

Homework Equations


The answer is B.253kJ

The Attempt at a Solution


My idea is:
##C+O2→CO\\
1 \qquad \qquad 1## and ##ΔH_1=-394kJ/mol##
##CO+O2→CO2\\
0,5 \qquad \qquad 0,5## and ##ΔH_2=-0,5.283 kJ/mol##
So ##ΔH=ΔH_1+ΔH_2=-535,5kJ/mol##
Where is my wrong?
Thanks for helping
 
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Hamal_Arietis said:
Where are my wrong?
Hamal_Arietis said:
The answer is B.253kJ
Wrong.
Ask yourself, "How many moles of carbon have been burned? How many moles of gaseous products have been formed? What is the minimum heat?"
 
Bystander said:
How many moles of gaseous products have been formed?
I think 0,5 mol CO and 0,5 mol CO2 are generated and 1 mol C is combusted
 
Hamal_Arietis said:
I think 0,5 mol CO and 0,5 mol CO2 are generated and 1 mol C is combusted
Correct. And the minimum heat released is what?
 
Bystander said:
Correct. And the minimum heat released is what?
I don't know.
##C+O2→CO\\
1 \qquad \qquad 1## and ##ΔH_1=-394kJ/mol##
##CO+O2→CO2\\
0,5 \qquad \qquad 0,5## and ##ΔH_2=-0,5.283 kJ/mol##
So ##ΔH=ΔH_1+ΔH_2=-535,5kJ/mol##
1 mol of C is combusted and 0,5 mol of CO and CO2 are generated . So the heat is -535,5kJ/mol?
 
What's half a mol x 394 kJ/mol?
 
Bystander said:
What's half a mol x 394 kJ/mol?
197kJ/mol
but 1 mol C is burned, not 0,5 mol. And 1mol CO is generated but 0,5 mol CO is burned and 0,5 mol CO2 is generated.
 
Yes, and ...
 
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