Answer:
(C) It is favorable and is driven by ΔH° only.
Explanation:
Let's consider the following balanced equation.
2 Na₂O₂ + S + 2 H₂O → 4 NaOH + SO₂
To determine whether it will be favorable or not at 298 K, we need to calculate the standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°).
- If ΔG° < 0, the reaction will be favorable.
- If ΔG° > 0, the reaction will be unfavorable.
We can calculate ΔG° using the following expression.
ΔG° = ΔH° - T.ΔS°
As we can see from the expression above, the favorability will be driven if ΔH° < 0 and if ΔS° < 0. Since ΔH° = -610 kJ/mol and ΔS° = -73 J/K.mol, the favorability will be driven by ΔH°. Now, let's calculate the overall favorability.
ΔG° = ΔH° - T.ΔS°
ΔG° = -610 kJ/mol - 298 K.(-0.073 kJ/K.mol) = -588 kJ/mol
The reaction is favorable and is driven by ΔH° only.
