Determining binding energy from latent heat of vaporization

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the binding energy of argon using its latent heat of vaporization, measured at 6.43 kJ/mol. Initially, the user attempted to derive the binding energy by dividing the latent heat by Avogadro's number, resulting in an incorrect value of 0.067 eV. The correct binding energy of 0.059 eV was obtained after accounting for the work done during gas expansion, emphasizing the importance of considering changes in internal energy in thermodynamic calculations.

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  • Understanding of latent heat of vaporization
  • Familiarity with Avogadro's number
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and internal energy
  • Concept of work done during gas expansion
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  • Explore the concept of work done in gas expansion and its implications
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dav2008
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The measured value of the latent heat of vaporization of argon (at 1 atm) is
6.43 kJ/mol. Use this to estimate the binding energy.

(Given answer: 0.059 eV)

[Boiling point @ 1atm: 87.3K]

My initial approach was that since 6,430 joules worth of bonds had to be broken for a mole of Argon to vaporize, then to obtain the binding energy I could just divide the latent heat by the number of molecules in a mole. This gave me an incorrect answer of .067 eV and is clearly an oversimplified approach.Any thoughts?

Edit: Never mind I got it.

I forgot to subtract the work that goes into the expansion of the gas, and that it's the change in internal energy that's at question.
 
Last edited:
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After factoring in the work done in expansion, I get 0.059 eV as the binding energy.
 

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