Question

C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l), ΔH = –1.37 × 103 kJ For the combustion of ethyl alcohol as described in the above equation, which of the following is true? I. The reaction is exothermic. II. The enthalpy change would be different if gaseous water was produced. III. The reaction is not an oxidation–reduction one. IV. The products of the reaction occupy a larger volume than the reactants.

Answer 1

Answer:

The true statements are: I. The reaction is exothermic.

II. The enthalpy change would be different if gaseous water was produced.

Explanation:

The given chemical reaction: C₂H₅OH(l) + 3O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(l),  ΔH= -1.37×10³kJ

1. In an exothermic reaction, heat or energy is released from the system to the surrounding. Thus for an exothermic process the change in enthalpy is less than 0 or negative (ΔH < 0) .

Since the enthalpy change for a combustion reaction is negative. Therefore, the given reaction is exothermic.

2. The change in enthalpy (ΔH) of a reaction is equal to difference of the sum of standard enthalpy of formation (ΔHf°) of the products and the reactants.

ΔHr° = ∑ n.ΔHf°(products) − ∑ n.ΔHf°(reactants)

As the value of ΔHf° of water in gaseous state and liquid state is not the same.

Therefore, the enthalpy change of the reaction will be different, if gaseous water was present instead of liquid water.

3. An oxidation-reduction reaction or a redox reaction involves simultaneous reduction and oxidation processes.

The given chemical reaction, represents the combustion reaction of ethanol.

Since combustion reactions are redox reactions. Therefore, the given combustion reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction.

4. According to the ideal gas equation: P.V =n.R.T

Volume (V) ∝ n (number of moles of gas)

Since the number of moles (n) of gaseous reactants is 3 and number of moles of gaseous (n) products is 2.

Therefore, the volume occupied by 3 moles of the reactant gaseous molecules will be more than 2 moles product gaseous molecules.