Question

Given the following at 25C calculate delta Hf for HCN (g) at 25C. 2NH3 (g) +3O2 (g) + 2CH4 (g) ---> 2HCN (g) + 6H2O (g) delta H rxn= -870.8 kJ. delta Hf=-80.3 kJ/mol for NH3 (g), -74.6 kJ/mol for CH4, and -241.8 kJ/mol for H2O (g)

Answer 1

Answer: The $\Delta H_f$ for HCN (g) in the reaction is 135.1 kJ/mol.

Explanation:

Enthalpy change is defined as the difference in enthalpies of all the product and the reactants each multiplied with their respective number of moles. The equation used to calculate enthalpy change is of a reaction is:

$\Delta H_{rxn}=\sum [n\times \Delta H_f(product)]-\sum [n\times \Delta H_f(reactant)]$

For the given chemical reaction:

$2NH_3(g)+3O_2(g)+2CH_4(g)\rightarrow 2HCN(g)+6H_2O(g)$

The equation for the enthalpy change of the above reaction is:

$\Delta H_{rxn}=[(2\times \Delta H_f_{(HCN)})+(6\times \Delta H_f_{(H_2O)})]-[(2\times \Delta H_f_{(NH_3)})+(3\times \Delta H_f_{(O_2)})+(2\times \Delta H_f_{(CH_4)})]$

We are given:

$\Delta H_f_{(H_2O)}=-241.8kJ/mol\\\Delta H_f_{(NH_3)}=-80.3kJ/mol\\\Delta H_f_{(CH_4)}=-74.6kJ/mol\\\Delta H_f_{(O_2)}=0kJ/mol\\\Delta H_{rxn}=-870.8kJ$

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$-870.8=[(2\times \Delta H_f_{(HCN)})+(6\times (-241.8))]-[(2\times (-80.3))+(3\times (0))+(2\times (-74.6))]\\\\\Delta H_f_{(HCN)}=135.1kJ$

Hence, the $\Delta H_f$ for HCN (g) in the reaction is 135.1 kJ/mol.