Quick question on single displacements?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Theorγ
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the reaction between hydrogen gas and hot iron (II) oxide (FeO). Initial assumptions suggested no reaction due to the relative activity of hydrogen compared to iron. However, further analysis indicates that the reaction does occur, producing iron and water, particularly under conditions where water is removed from the system, thus shifting equilibrium to favor product formation. The third proposed reaction involving hydronium ions is invalid in this context, as it requires an acidic aqueous solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the activity series of metals
  • Knowledge of chemical equilibrium principles
  • Familiarity with Gibbs free energy calculations
  • Basic concepts of reaction spontaneity and temperature dependence
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the activity series of metals and its implications for displacement reactions
  • Learn about Le Chatelier's principle and its application in chemical equilibria
  • Explore Gibbs free energy calculations, particularly deltaG and its significance
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on reaction spontaneity and equilibrium shifts
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals interested in reaction mechanisms, thermodynamics, and chemical equilibria will benefit from this discussion.

Theorγ
Messages
57
Reaction score
0
Hydrogen gas is passed over hot iron (II) oxide powder.

My initial answer was that there was going to be no reaction because of the fact that H2 is less active than Fe:

[tex]H_{2} + FeO \rightarrow No Reaction[/tex]

Then, I looked over the web to find the answer to this but encountered two different ones. The first one complies with the rule for the activity series. However, I found this answer to be contradicting with mines since Fe is more active than H2:

[tex]H_{2} + FeO \rightarrow Fe + H_{2}O[/tex]

The other answer I found was the following, which I have no idea how they got:

[tex]H_{2} + FeO \rightarrow Fe + H_{3}O^{+}[/tex]

Which of these equations is the the right one for the problem?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The third reaction is only going to occur in acidic, aqueous solution (since it's the hydronium ion), so that's not going to happen here.

I would calculate deltaG for this reaction to see if it's spontaneous. The entropy term,
[tex]T \Delta S[/tex]
has a temperature dependence, so above a certain temperature, the reaction may be spontaneous.

However, since the problem specifies "hot iron (II) oxide," my hunch would be that the reaction does occur.
 
Note that you are removing produced water - it is being taken out by the gas stream. That shifts equilibrium to the right.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K