Mere approximation problem or something else? Thermodynamics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the work done during the decomposition of 1.0 mole of N2H4 at 300 K against a pressure of 1.0 atm. The initial calculations incorrectly assumed that all products were gases, leading to a volume of 44.8 L instead of the correct volume based on the actual state of N2H4 as a liquid. Participants noted that the change in volume should reflect the correct number of moles produced and the temperature difference from standard conditions. The discrepancy in the calculated work done (4480 J versus the provided answer of -4988.4 J) highlights the importance of accurately considering the physical state of reactants. Ultimately, recognizing N2H4 as a liquid at the start is crucial for solving the problem correctly.
mooncrater
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Homework Statement


The question is :
Calculate the work done in joules when 1.0 mole of N2H4 decomposed against a pressure of 1.0 atm at 300 K for the equation:
3N2H4
(l)→4NH3(g)+2N2(g)

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


I did it like as:
Assuming 100% dissociation of N2H4
4/3 moles of NH3 and 2/3 moles of N2
will be formed. That means a total of 2 moles of gas will be formed , which will have a volume of 2×22.4L at STP.
(SINCE AT STP VOLUME OF 1 MOLE OF GAS=22.4L)
Which will be equal to 44.8 ×10-3 m3
So work done =PΔV=105×44.8×10-3=4480J (with a negative sign)
But its answer is -4988.4 J which is much different from mine. What I think is that mere approximations in the values of Molar volume at STP and pressure change from atm to N/m2 cannot cause such a large deviation. So is my method incorrect? Or the given answer?
 
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mooncrater said:

Homework Statement


The question is :
Calculate the work done in joules when 1.0 mole of N2H4 decomposed against a pressure of 1.0 atm at 300 K for the equation:
3N2H4
(l)→4NH3(g)+2N2(g)

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


I did it like as:
Assuming 100% dissociation of N2H4
4/3 moles of NH3 and 2/3 moles of N2
will be formed. That means a total of 2 moles of gas will be formed , which will have a volume of 2×22.4L at STP.
(SINCE AT STP VOLUME OF 1 MOLE OF GAS=22.4L)
Which will be equal to 44.8 ×10-3 m3
So work done =PΔV=105×44.8×10-3=4480J (with a negative sign)
But its answer is -4988.4 J which is much different from mine. What I think is that mere approximations in the values of Molar volume at STP and pressure change from atm to N/m2 cannot cause such a large deviation. So is my method incorrect? Or the given answer?

What temperature is "STP" -- how does that compare with the 300 K of the original problem?
 
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Okay...that was a silly mistake...STP is for 273K not 300K . Now I will never forget it. Thank you!
 
It seems to me there is something wrong here. If the initial number of moles were 1, and the final number of moles were 2, then at 273K, the change in volume would have been 22.4 liters, not 44.8 liters. So it seems to me that the "correct answer" is a factor of 2 too high. What do you guys think?

Chet
 
But ##N_2H_4## is a liquid at initial conditions.
 
mooncrater said:
But ##N_2H_4## is a liquid at initial conditions.
Ah. Thanks. That explains it. Duh!

Chet
 
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Chestermiller said:
Ah. Thanks. That explains it. Duh!

Chet
Sir I think you knew it but asked the question to check mooncrater.:wink:
 
Raghav Gupta said:
Sir I think you knew it but asked the question to check mooncrater.:wink:
You're very kind, but, no, I didn't notice that (l) in the problem statement. And I definitely didn't know from prior experience that N2H4 is a liquid at ordinary conditions. o:)

Chet
 
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