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Enthalpy And Hess's Law

Mediumchemistry

Given: C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g); ΔH = −393 kJ mol⁻¹ CO(g) + ½O₂(g) → CO₂(g); ΔH = −283 kJ mol⁻¹ The enthalpy of formation of CO(g) from its elements is:

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About This Question

Subject
chemistry
Chapter
chemical thermodynamics
Topic
enthalpy and hess's law
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
Hess's LawEnthalpy of FormationThermochemical Equations

Solution

Correct Answer:

−110 kJ mol⁻¹

  1. Target Reaction: C(s) + ½O₂(g) → CO(g); ΔH_f = ?
  2. Apply Hess's Law: Subtract the second equation from the first.
    • Equation (i): C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g); ΔH₁ = −393 kJ.
    • Reverse Equation (ii): CO₂(g) → CO(g) + ½O₂(g); ΔH₂' = +283 kJ.
  3. Add: C(s) + O₂(g) + CO₂(g) → CO₂(g) + CO(g) + ½O₂(g). Cancel CO₂(g) from both sides and combine O₂ terms: C(s) + ½O₂(g) → CO(g).
  4. ΔH_f = −393 + 283 = −110 kJ mol⁻¹.
  5. Verification: The value is exothermic (negative), consistent with the known standard enthalpy of formation of CO.

This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter chemical thermodynamics, covering the topic of enthalpy and hess's law. It appeared in the 2025 exam.

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