Calculating ΔH Using Hess's Law for FeO(s)CO(g) Reaction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the enthalpy change (ΔH) for the reaction FeO(s) + CO(g) → Fe(s) + CO2(g) using Hess's Law. Participants explore the application of Hess's Law to this specific reaction, addressing issues related to the provided equations and their balance, as well as the challenges faced in solving the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 presents the initial problem statement and the three reactions provided for the calculation, expressing confusion about the steps to take next.
  • Post 2 agrees with the first step taken by Post 1 but points out issues with the problem wording, noting that the first equation is unbalanced and does not include FeO(s) or Fe(s).
  • Post 3 suggests a method to approach the problem by defining the formation enthalpies of the substances involved and forming equations, but acknowledges potential difficulties due to the issues with the provided reactions.
  • Post 4 reiterates the concerns raised in Post 2 about the problem's wording and offers a correction regarding the notation of state symbols.
  • Post 5 inquires about the possibility of deleting the thread to post corrected information, indicating a desire to clarify the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are significant issues with the problem as stated, particularly regarding the balance of the equations and the presence of certain substances. However, there is no consensus on how to proceed with the calculation due to these unresolved issues.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the problem's formulation, including unbalanced equations and missing components, which complicate the application of Hess's Law. The notation of state symbols is also a point of clarification among participants.

Specter

Homework Statement


Using Hess's law, calculate the ΔH value for the following reaction:
FeO(s)CO(g)→Fe(s)+CO2(g)

Use these three reactions:
1. Fe2O3(s)+3CO(g)→2Fe3O4(s)+CO2(g) ΔH= -25.0 kJ

2. 3Fe2O3(s)+CO(g)→2Fe3O4(s)+CO2(g) ΔH= -47.0 kJ

3. Fe3O4(s)+CO(g)→3FeO(s)+CO2
ΔH= +38.0 kJ

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



This is what I have done so far:

Reversed reaction 3
3FeO(s)+CO2→Fe3O4(s)+CO(g) ΔH = -38.0 kJ

I've tried some other things but each time I get the incorrect answer. The examples that I was shown were way easier than this.

I'm not really sure what to do next. I reversed reaction 3 to get FeO on the left side. Any help on the steps I should take to complete this would be great... I find this question very confusing.
 
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Your first step is definitely a correct one.

Hard to comment on your attempts (and why they yielded incorrect answers) not seeing them.

As there is an obvious mistake in the problem wording (first equation is not balanced, neither of the 1st and 2nd equation contains FeO(s), and there is no Fe(s) present anywhere) it is also impossible to point you in the right direction.

Note: state symbols (s), (aq), (g) and (l) should be not written as subscripts. It is a common error, present even in textbooks, but IUPAC defined them to be written with normal characters.
 
Hi,

If I were you, I would try the following:

Call ΔΗformation of each substance x (ΔΗf, Fe3O4), y (ΔΗf, CO2), z (ΔΗf,Fe2O3), v (ΔΗf, CO), k (ΔΗf, FeO). Then I would form 3 equations with 5 unknown variables.

In order to find the unknown ΔΗ, I would search to find the value of (y-k-v). Perhaps, this is not impossible, since you relate the 3 unknown variables in a 3x5 system.Then, ΔΗunknown=y+ΔΗFe-k-v (ΔΗFe is considered given data-you can find it from the web).

This way, I would transform the chemical problem into a mathematical problem, but still I don't know if it is possible/easy/difficult to find the value of (y-k-v).

Edit Note : I agree with Post #2. There are problems with the equations that will make it impossible to solve the problem.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Borek said:
Your first step is definitely a correct one.

Hard to comment on your attempts (and why they yielded incorrect answers) not seeing them.

As there is an obvious mistake in the problem wording (first equation is not balanced, neither of the 1st and 2nd equation contains FeO(s), and there is no Fe(s) present anywhere) it is also impossible to point you in the right direction.

Note: state symbols (s), (aq), (g) and (l) should be not written as subscripts. It is a common error, present even in textbooks, but IUPAC defined them to be written with normal characters.

I did write it wrong, sorry about that. Is there any way I can have this thread deleted so that I can create a new one with the correct information? Also, thanks for letting me know about state symbols, in my lesson they are written as subscripts but I will write them as normal characters from now on.
 
Specter said:
Is there any way I can have this thread deleted so that I can create a new one with the correct information?

Post the correct information and we will edit the original post, marking things that were modified.
 

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