Is Oxyhydrogen a spontaneous reaction at very high temperatures?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the criteria for spontaneity in chemical reactions, specifically using the Gibbs free energy equation \(\Delta H - T\Delta S < 0\). It highlights that a reaction with a negative change in enthalpy (\(\Delta H\)) can become non-spontaneous at high temperatures if the product of temperature (T) and the negative change in entropy (\(\Delta S\)) outweighs the enthalpy change. This principle is illustrated with the example of the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, where high temperatures can hinder spontaneity. Additionally, the efficiency of high-temperature electrolysis of water is noted, as well as the burning of magnesium, which is exothermic but also has a negative entropy change, suggesting that at sufficiently high temperatures, it too may not be spontaneous.
ineedaquickie
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi, this may seem like a noob question for you geeks out there, but I can't wrap my head around this.
The formula for a spontaneous reaction is \DeltaH-T\DeltaS < 0
Basically, since the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen gas has a negative change in enthalpy it must mean that if the temperature in Kelvin is big enough then the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen gas will not be spontaneous.

Because the negative T multiplied with the negative change in entropy will be more positive than the enthalpy change and it won't be a spontaneous process? right?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Ygggdrasil said:
Yes, that is correct. This is one reason why performing electrolysis of water at high temperatures is more efficient than at room temperature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-temperature_electrolysis).

Ill read up on this, thanks.
 
I'm sorry to bring this up, but does the same count for the burning of magnesium. Burning of magnesium is exothermic, but the change in entropy is negative as well so if the temp is big enough, the reaction won't be spontaneous. Correct?
 
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'
I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
Back
Top