What Temperature Makes the Reaction N2O4 --> 2NO2 Spontaneous?

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

The discussion focuses on determining the temperature at which the reaction N2O4 --> 2NO2 becomes spontaneous, given a ΔG of 2.8 kJ under standard conditions. The user applies the Gibbs free energy equation, ΔG = ΔH - T(ΔS), using ΔH values of 9.66 kJ for N2O4 and 33.85 kJ for NO2, and ΔS values of 304.3 J/K for N2O4 and 240.46 J/K for NO2. The user incorrectly calculates the temperature as 0.328 K, indicating a misunderstanding in applying the Gibbs equation. The correct approach involves setting ΔG to zero to find the temperature at which spontaneity occurs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gibbs free energy and its equation
  • Knowledge of enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) values
  • Familiarity with standard thermodynamic conditions
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Gibbs free energy equation
  • Learn how to calculate ΔH and ΔS for chemical reactions
  • Research the concept of spontaneity in thermodynamics
  • Explore the impact of temperature on reaction spontaneity
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals involved in thermodynamics and reaction kinetics will benefit from this discussion.

CasanovaFrankenstein
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Alright,

This is a followup to my previous post: thanks for the advice on the two questions. I got the HH one. That was quite easy.

However, I'm not getting this one correctly:

N2O4 --> 2NO2
Delta G is 2.8kJ (under standard conditions). At what temp will it become spontaneous?

So. I know Gibb's is: Delta G = Delta H - T(delta S)

The delta H for N2O4 is 9.66 and NO2 is 33.85
The delta S for N2O4 is 304.3 and NO2 is 240.46
This is per my book

I plug those into the Delta H and Delta S equations:
2(33.85) - 9.66 = 58
2(240.46) - 304.3 = 176.9

T = Delta H / Delta S
This comes out to 0.328 K

That can't be right! What did I do wrong?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
You should be able to find a derivation which includes the \Delta G^{0},~and~ \Delta G The reaction is spontaneous when \Delta G is zero. Try to find the simplest equation.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
15K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K