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Thermodynamic Problems

The following are common thermodynamic equations and sample problems showing a situation in which each might be used.

Work and Transfer of Heat and Energy

$q=mC_p\Delta{T}$

• $$q$$ is the heat in J
• $$m$$ is the mass in g
• $$C_p$$ is the specific heat in J/(g C)
• $$\Delta{T}$$ is the change in temperature in Kelvin or Celsius

Q1

How many liters of water can 6.7 L of ethane boil? The initial temperature and pressure of the ethane and water is 0.95 bar and 25˚C.

Solution

First we must find the amount of heat released by the ethane. To do this, we calculate the number of moles of ethane gas using the ideal gas equation and multiply the molar heat of combustion by the number of moles.

ΔHcombustion= 1437.17 kJ/mol

$n=\dfrac{PV}{RT}$

$n=\dfrac{0.95 \times 6.7}{0.08314 \times 298}$

$n=0.2569\; mol$

Heat released by ethane:

$q=(1437.17 \;kJ/mol) \times 0.2569\; mol = 369.21\; kJ$

Then using the heat equation we can find the mass of water that would be raised to boiling with the given amount of heat. First, the kJ must be converted to J to match the units of the specific heat.

$369210=(m)(4.184)(373-298)$

Using basic algebra we solve for the mass, and since water has a density of 1.0 g/cm3, the mass will be equal to the volume.

M=1176.58 g

Volume of water: 1.177 L

$w = -\Delta{PV}$

• $$w$$ = Work
• $$P$$ = Pressure
• $$V$$ = Volume

Q2

A balloon filled with gas expands under a constant pressure of $$2.0 \times 10^5$$ Pascals from a volume of 5.0 L to 10 L.

Solution

work = -Pressure * ΔVolume

= -pressure * (Vfinal – Vinitial) = -2*10^5 * (10-5) Pa*L = -10^6 Pa*L = -1000 J = -1.0 kJ of work

E = q + W

E = Energy
q = Heat
W = Work

Q3

A balloon filled with gas expands its volume by 2.0 L. If the pressure outside the balloon is 0.93 bar and the energy change of the gas is 450 J, how much heat did the surroundings give the balloon?

Solution

Remember that 100 Joule = 1 L*bar.

$450=q-(0.93)(2.0)100$

Now solving for $$q$$

$q=636\; J$

Q4

There is a house hold heater that operates at 4 V and at 35 Ω and is used to heat up 15 g of copper wire. The specific heat capacity of copper is 24.440 J/(mol K). How much time is required to increase the temperature from 25˚C to 69˚C?

Solution

It is important to know the equation in circuitry that calculates power: P=V2/R, which is derived from the equation V=IR. We will also be using q=mCsΔT.

$P=\dfrac{V^2}{R}$

P is power is units of J/s

• V is voltage in volts
• R is resistance in Ω

P=(4)2/35=.457 J/s
q=(15)(24.440)(69-25)= 16130.4 J

We now know how many joules of heat must be added to the copper wire to increase the temperature and we know how many joules of energy are given off by the heater per second. We divide to find the number of seconds.

(16130.4 J)/(.457 J/s) = 35296.3 seconds

Ln(P1/P2)=[ΔHVap/R]*[(1/T2)-(1/T1)]
P1 and P2 refer to the pressures in any unit (bar, atmosphere, Pascal)
R is the gas constant that correlates with the pressure and temperature units used.
T1 and T2refer to the temperatures in Kelvin

Q5

If the temperature of a water bath closed system is raised from room temperature to 65 ˚C and the initial pressure is 350 torr, what is the final pressure of the system? The heat of vaporization of liquid water is 43.99 kJ/mol.

Solution

The gas constant that is most convenient to use is 8.314 J/K/mol. Therefore it is important to convert the kJ value of the heat of vaporization to J.

$\ln{\dfrac{350}{P_2}}=\dfrac{43990}{8.314} \left(\dfrac{1}{298}-\dfrac{1}{338}\right)$

Using basic algebra and the knowledge that $$e^{\ln(x)}=x$$, we can solve for $$P_2$$.

$P_2 = 42.8\; torr$

Q6

Given a Carnot engine that absorbs 750 J of energy from a tank of hot water with a final temperature of 300 K, what is the initial temperature if 600 J of work was done by the system?

Solution

Ɛ=[TH-TL]/TH = w/q

• Ɛ=efficiency
• TH and TLare the temperatures in Kelvin
• w is work in J
• q is heat in J

Set the two equivalent expressions equal to one another:

[TH-300]/TH = 600/750

Using basic algebra solve for the initial temperature.

TH =1500 K

Q7

If 0.2 moles of hydrogen gas occupies an inflexible container with a capacity of 45 mL and the temperature is raised from 25 C to 30 C, what is the change in pressure of the contained gas, assuming ideal behavior?

Solution

$PV=nRT$

• P is Pressure
• V is Volume
• n is the number of moles present in the sample
• R is the gas constant
• T is temperature in Kelvins

Using the ideal gas law and knowing four of the five variables, it is possible to solve for the fifth variable. It is important to note that while the equation is mostly correct, but it is only perfectly accurate if the gas is ideal.

In order to find a change in pressure, you must first find both your initial pressure, P1 and your final pressure, P2, than you must subtract P1 from P2. This can be simplified by solving the ideal gas law for pressure, then subtracting initial conditions from final conditions.

$P=\dfrac{nRT}{V}$

or

$\Delta{P}=\dfrac{nR(T_2-T_1)}{V}$

Since R (0.008314 L bar/molK) is in liters and Kelvin, you must first divide 45 by 1000 to convert to mL, for a value of 0.045 L. Then convert both temperatures to Kelvin by 273.15, for values of 298.15 K and 303.15 K. Or, since the degree size is the same in Celsius and Kelvin, you can simply subtract 25 from 30 for a difference of 5 C= 5 K.

ΔP=[0.2mol(0.008314Lbar/molK)(5 K)]/0.045L=0.184756 bar

Enthalpy

ΔH = Σ [Products - Reactants]
ΔH = Change in Enthalpy (for reaxion)
Products = elements and compounds on the right side of the chemical equation
Reactants = elements and compounds on the left side of the chemical equation

Q8

Using standard thermodynamic values, calculate the change in enthalpy of reaction (ΔHrxn) in the formation of liquid water from hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Solution

Chemical Equation:

$H_{2(g)} + ½O_{2(g)} \rightarrow H_2O_{(l)} + \; \text{heat}$

Product:

ΔHf H2O(l) = -285.83 kJ/mol

Reactants:

ΔHf H2(g) = 0 kJ/mol (the ΔHf of elements in their standard state is defined to be 0 kJ)
ΔHf O2(g) = 0 kJ/mol x 2

Use ΔH of formation (Hf) for each of the chemicals involved in the reaction found in a standard table or reference book.

[(ΔHf H2O = -285.83 kJ/mol)] - [(½)*(ΔHf O2 = 0 kJ/mol) + (ΔHf H2= 0 kJ/mol)]
ΔHrxn = SUM [(-285.83 kJ) – ((½)*0 kJ + 0 kJ)] = -285.83 kJ/mol

Q9

Using standard thermodynamic values, calculate the enthalpy of the reaction of the combustion of methane gas with oxygen gas to form carbon dioxide and liquid water.

Solution

Chemical Equation:
CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) => CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) + heat

Products:
ΔHf H2O(l) = -285.83 kJ/mol x 2
ΔH
f CO2(g) = -393.51 kJ/mol
Reactants:
ΔHf CH4(g) = -74.87 kJ/mol
ΔHf O2(g) = 0 kJ/mol x 2
Use values found in a standard table or reference book

[2*(ΔHf H2O(l) = -285.83 kJ/mol) + ΔHfCO2(g) = -393.51 kJ/mol]
- [2*(ΔHf O2 = 0 kJ/mol) + (ΔHf CH4= -74.87 kJ/mol)] =
ΔHrxn = [2*(-285.83 kJ) + (-393.51 kJ)] – [(2*0 kJ) + (-74.87 kJ)] = -890.3 kJ/mol

Q10

How much heat is released when burning 0.5 kg of liquid rubbing alcohol (2-propanol)? Products are carbon dioxide and liquid water. Assume an excess of oxygen.

Solution
Chemical Reaction:
2 C3H8O(l) + 9 O2(g) => 6 CO2(g) + 8 H2O(l) + heat
0.5 kg propanol * (1 mol / 60.084 g) = 8.3 mols propanol

ΔHrxn = [products - reactants] = [6*(-393.51 kJ) + 8*(-285.83 kJ)] - [2*(-318.2 kJ) + 9*(0 kJ)]
= -4011.3 kJ / (2 mols propanol) = -2005.65 kJ/mol
-2005.65 kJ/mol * 8.3 mols = -16646 kJ released as heat

Entropy

ΔS Universe= ΔS Surroundings –ΔS System
ΔS is the change in entropy

Q11

If 1.6g of CH4 reacts with oxygen gas to form water and carbon dioxide what is the change in entropy for the universe?

Solution

Reaction Equation:

$CH_4 + 2O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2H_2O$

To solve this problem the following equations are also necessary:

ΔS System =ΣΔSProducts– ΣΔSReactants
ΔS System =[(.21374 kJ/mol)+(2* .06995 kJ/mol)]-[(2*.20507 kJ/mol)+( .18626 kJ/mol)] = -.24276 kJ/mol

ΔH System =ΣΔHProducts– ΣΔHReactants
ΔH System = [( -393.509 kJ/mol)+(2* -285.83 kJ/mol)]-[(2*0)+( -74.87 kJ/mol)] = -890.229 kJ/mol

ΔS Surroundings =ΔHSystem /T
ΔS Surroundings = -890.229/298 = -2.9873 kJ/mol

ΔS Universe= ΔS Surroundings –ΔS System
ΔS Universe= -2.9873 kJ/mol – (-.24276 kJ/mol) = -2.745 kJ/mol

ΔS=k*ln(w)
ΔS is the change in entropy
K is the Boltzmann constant in J/K/particle
W is the number of microstates possible

Q12

The volume of a gas starts at 5.0 L at a temperature of 400K and a pressure of 1.12 bar. If the change in entropy was .787 J/K/mol, what was the final volume of the gas?

Solution

Remember that the number of microstates is proportional to the volume of an ideal gas. Also, the Boltzmann constant is by particle; multiplying the gas constant by the number of moles of gas is equivalent.

ΔS=Rn*ln(V2/V1)
R is the gas constant
n is the number of moles of gas
V2 and V1are volumes in L

.787=(8.314)n*ln(V2/5.0)

Now to find the number of moles we use the ideal gas law:

n=PV/RT
n= [1.12*5.0]/[8.314*400]

Now plug this value into the original equation and solve for the final volume.

V2=8.77 L

ΔSRxn =ΣΔSProducts – ΣΔSReactants

Q13

Calculate the change in entropy for the dissociation of $$HCl_{(aq)}$$ to $$H^+$$ and $$Cl^-$$.

Solution

First, you must write out the full equation.

$HCl_{(aq)} \rightarrow H^+_{(aq)} + Cl^-_{(aq)}$

Next, look up each compound in a thermodynamic table and plug the values into the equation.

ΔS System=(56.6+ 0) J/molK- 186.9 J/molK = -130.3 J/molK

Gibbs Free Energy

K=e^[-ΔG/RT]
K is the equilibrium constant
e is the numerical value 2.718
ΔG is the change in Gibbs free energy in J/mol
R is the gas constant
T is the temperature in K

Q14

What is the equilibrium constant for the formation of N2O4 gas from NO2 gas molecules? The temperature of the reaction is 310.5K.

Solution

First, the balanced equation must be written:

2NO2(g) -> N2O4(g)

Now using thermodynamic values for enthalpy and entropy, the Gibbs free energy can be calculated.

ΔG=ΔH-TΔS

Remember that the total change in enthalpy or entropy is the sum of the change in enthalpies/entropies of the products minus the sum of the change in enthalpies/entropies of the reactants.

ΔH System =ΣΔHProducts– ΣΔHReactants
ΔH System=[9.08 kJ/mol]-[2*33.1 kJ/mol] = -57.12 kJ/mol

ΔS System =ΣΔSProducts– ΣΔSReactants
ΔS System=[.30438 kJ/molK]-[2*.24004 kJ/molK] = -.1757 kJ/molK

Also, the T used is not room temperature, but the temperature given in the problem – the temperature at which the reaction takes place.

ΔG=ΔH-TΔS
ΔG=[-57.12]-310.5[-.1757] = -2.565 kJ/mol  or -2565 J/mol

Once ΔG is calculated the original equation can be used to solve for k.

K=e^[-ΔG/RT]
K=e^[2565/8.314*310.5] = 2.701

ΔG=ΔH-TΔS
ΔG is the change in Gibbs Free Energy for the reaction
ΔH is the change in enthalpy for the reaction
ΔS is the change in entropy for the reaction
T is the temperature in Kelvin

Q15

Find the change is Gibbs Free Energy for the reaction of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to form liquid water and sodium chloride at 31 C.

Solution

First you must write the chemical equation for the reaction: HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ->H2O(l) + NaCl

Next, you must calculate ΔH and ΔS for the reaction.

ΔHRxn =ΣΔHProducts – ΣΔHReactants
ΔHRxn =[(-285.8+(-411.54)) kJ/mol]-[(-167.16 + (-470.1) kJ/mol] = -60.05 kJ/mol

ΔSRxn =ΣΔSProducts – ΣΔSReactants
ΔSRxn=[(0.06991+ 0.07238) kJ/molK]-[0.0565 + 0.0482 kJ/molK] = 0.03759 kJ/molK

Next, the temperature must be converted to Kelvins by 273.15 to its value in Celsius.

31 + 273.15 = 304.15 K

Finally, all of these values are plugged into the original equation, ΔG=ΔH-TΔS.

ΔG= -60.05 KJ/mol – 304.15 K *(0.03759 KJ/molK) = -71.4830

There also exist equations to correct for the temperature dependence of ΔH and ΔS, but they are not commonly used because the difference is typically very slight. They are:

ΔH(T)=ΔH˚rxn - ʃCpdT
ΔS(T)=ΔS˚rxn - ʃCpdT

If you need to use these equations for an extremely accurate value of ΔG, simply solve these equations for ΔH and ΔS, then plug these values into the equation for ΔG.

• www.chemtables.tk  --  A useful website table containing many thermodynamic properties of various elements and compounds

Contributors

• Annicka Carter (University of Utah), Nathan Odendahl (University of Utah), Allison Tripp (University of Utah)

20:37, 24 Oct 2014

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