What am I doing wrong? Thermochemistry

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    Thermochemistry
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of heat per mole of CO2 produced during the combustion of octane, focusing on thermochemical principles and the accuracy of enthalpy values used in the calculations. Participants explore different methods and data sources for determining the heat of reaction.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially calculated the heat per mole of CO2 as -359.5 kJ/mol but found this value did not match any provided choices.
  • Another participant suggested providing the enthalpy values used to facilitate error checking and noted a potential mistake in the balanced equation regarding the amount of O2.
  • After correcting the O2 coefficient, the participant shared their enthalpy values for octane, water, and CO2.
  • A different participant estimated the heat to be around -610 kJ/mol, questioning which data should be used, such as bond enthalpies or combustion enthalpies.
  • Subsequent edits revealed adjustments to calculations, with one participant arriving at -679 kJ/mol after finding better data.
  • Another participant reported using combustion enthalpies and recalculated their result to -690 kJ/mol, expressing confusion over the initial discrepancy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct value for the heat per mole of CO2 produced, with multiple competing estimates and methods presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various enthalpy values and methods for calculating heat, indicating potential limitations in the data used and the assumptions underlying their calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in thermochemistry, combustion reactions, and enthalpy calculations may find this discussion relevant.

ace123
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[SOLVED] What am I doing wrong? Thermochemistry

1. Calculate the heat per mole of CO2 produced for octane.

2. I just balanced the equation and calculated the total heat produced. Subtracted the heat of water produced from it. Then took that and divided it by the number of moles.

2(C8H18) + 5O2====> 16CO2 + 18H20

3. My answer was -359.5 KJ/mol. But that's not one of the choices. So what did I do wrong?
 
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If you throw in all the enthalpies you used in the calculation, that'll make it much easier to debug any errors.

Also, what are the choices?

PS: Shouldn't that be 25 O2?
 
Last edited:
Yes, it is 25 O2 sorry for that. The enthalpies I used:

octane- -296 KJ
H2O- -286 KJ
CO2- -394 KJ

Their are 9 choices
all in KJ/mol

-400
-1000
-740
-1100
-320
-684
-468
-840
-890
 
Last edited:
Looks to me like it should come out around -610kJ/mol. What data are you expected to use? Bond enthalpies, combustion enthalpies, calorific values...there are many ways to skin the bird.

Edit: that should be -670kJ/mol (approximately) - closest option is -684kJ/mol

Edit2: Found better data; now I get -679kJ/mol
 
Last edited:
How did you do it? I did combustion enthalpies

Edit: I just did it again and i got -690 KJ/mol I have no clue how i kept getting -359:redface:

Edit (part 2): Thank you
 
Last edited:

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