Mere approximation problem or something else? Thermodynamics

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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!
 
But ##N_2H_4## is a liquid at initial conditions.
 
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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