Question

Ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damage biological molecules because they carry enough energy to break bonds within the molecules. A carbon-carbon bond requires 348 kJ/mol to break.What is the longest wavelength of radiation with enough energy to break carbon-carbon bonds?

Answer 1

Answer:

344 nm is the longest wavelength of radiation with enough energy to break carbon-carbon bonds.

Explanation:

$C-C(g)\rightarrow 2C(g)$ ,ΔH = 348 kJ/mol

Energy required to break 1 mole of C-C bond = 348 kJ

Energy required to break 1 C-C bond = E

$E = \frac{348,000J}{6.022\times 10^{23}}=5.779\times 10^{-19} J$

Energy related with the wavelength of light is given by Planck's equation:

$E=\frac{hc}{\lambda }$

$\lambda =\frac{hc}{E}$

$=\frac{6.626\times 10^{-34} Js\times 3\times 10^8 m/s}{5.779\times 10^{-19} J}$

$\lambda =3.44\times 10^{-7} m = 344 nm$

$1 m =10^9 nm$

344 nm is the longest wavelength of radiation with enough energy to break carbon-carbon bonds.