Thermochemistry and the heat of complete combustion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the heat of complete combustion of benzene, focusing on the standard enthalpy of reaction and the conversion of units. Participants are examining the discrepancies between their calculated results and those provided in a textbook, as well as discussing the implications of error tolerance in academic settings.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a balanced reaction for the combustion of benzene and calculates the standard enthalpy of reaction using standard enthalpy values for water and carbon dioxide.
  • Another participant calculates the heat removed per mole of benzene and provides a total heat value based on the moles burned.
  • There is confusion regarding the discrepancy between the calculated heat values and the textbook value, with one participant noting that their calculations do not match even after conversion.
  • One participant expresses that the difference is not significant enough to worry about, suggesting acceptance of the range of error.
  • Another participant acknowledges the error tolerance of 3% allowed by their professor but still questions the mismatch with the textbook value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the calculations presented but disagree on the reasons for the discrepancies with the textbook value. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact cause of the differences in results.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific steps in their calculations and the implications of error tolerance, indicating that assumptions or definitions may not be fully aligned.

DottZakapa
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Homework Statement
Calculate the heat Kcal measured at 25.0°C and 1 atm corresponding to the complete combustion of 4.00 L of Benzene (C6H6 d= 0.780 6/mL) when liquid water forms.
Relevant Equations
thermochemistry
The balanced reaction wil be :
##2C_6H_{6(l)}+15O_{2(g)}->12CO_{2(g)}+6H_2O_(l)##
in order to compute the the standard enthalpy of reaction :
##\Delta H°_{f} H_2O_(l)= -285,8 \frac {KJ}{mol}##;
##\Delta H°_{f} CO_{2(g)}= -393,5 \frac {KJ}{mol}##;
##\Delta H°_{f} C_6H_{6(l)}=49,04 \frac {KJ}{mol}##;

##\Delta H°_{R}= \sum \Delta H°_{f} \text{ products} -\sum \Delta H°_{f} \text{ reagents}= [(-285,8 \frac {KJ}{mol}*6\text{ mol})+(-393,5 \frac {KJ}{mol}*12\text{ mol})]-(49,04\frac {KJ}{mol}*2\text{ mol})=-6531,26 KJ##

converting L to mL:
4,00L=4000 mL
The grams of ##2C_6H_{6(l)}##:
4000 mL *0,789 ##\frac g {mol}##= 3120 g;

Moles of ##2C_6H_{6(l)}##:
##\frac {3120 g}{6*12,01\frac g {mol}+6*1,01\frac g {mol} }##= 39,9 mol;

By proportion the moles of liquid water formed will be :
mol ##H_2O_(l)##=## \frac{6 \text{ mol } H_2O_(l)*39,9\text{ mol } 2C_6H_{6(l)}}{2 \text{ mol }2C_6H_{6(l)}}##= 120 mol

The heat , by proportionality :
##\frac{120 \text{ mol } *(-6531,26 KJ)}{6 \text{ mol }}##= -131*10^3 KJ = -3,13*10^4 Kcal

Is it all correct in your opinion?
the book says 3,03 *10 ^4 Kcal
the allowed error is 3% by the professor, where am i wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The amount of heat that has to be removed per mole of benzene to hold the temperature constant at 25 C is 6531.26/2 = 3265.63 Kj. For 39.9 moles burned, this comes to 130300 Kj.
 
Last edited:
thanks,ok now i got why is positive, but now still i don't get why the result doesn't match the one on the book 3,03 *10 ^4 Kcal, even yours, divided by 4,184 still not matching :nb)
 
DottZakapa said:
thanks,ok now i got why is positive, but now still i don't get why the result doesn't match the one on the book 3,03 *10 ^4 Kcal, even yours, divided by 4,184 still not matching :nb)
It's not worth worrying about.
 
well, as i said, at the exam there is an error tolerance of 3%, but this still on the range more or less. Thanks anyway
 

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