Edexcel A Level Chemistry

Topic Questions

5.4 Energetics II: Entropy

16 marks

A student wrote:

Whether or not a reaction occurs depends only on the thermodynamic feasibility calculated using

G = ∆H — T∆Ssystem


Discuss this statement.
Include reference to:

  • changes in the values and signs of the terms in the equation for both endothermic and exothermic reactions.
  • circumstances where a reaction that is predicted to be thermodynamically feasible may not occur in practice.

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1a4 marks

This question is about entropy.

Some hydrated barium hydroxide is added to ammonium thiocyanate in a flask which is placed on a few drops of water on a wooden block. After the addition, the contents are stirred and then the flask can be lifted up with the wooden block attached, as shown.

q6a-9cho-al-1-oct-2021-edexcel-a-level-chem


The equation for the reaction is

Ba(OH)2.8H2O (s) + 2NH4SCN (s) → Ba(SCN)2 (aq) + 2NH3 (g) + 10H2O (l)

i)
Give two reasons why you would expect ΔS subscript system superscript ⦵ to be positive.

(2)

ii)

Explain why the wooden block is lifted up by the flask.

(2)

1b1 mark

What is the standard molar entropy change, Δbegin mathsize 14px style S subscript system superscript ⦵ end style, in JK–1mol–1, for the reaction shown?

2Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2MgO (s)

Substance Standard molar entropy, bold italic S to the power of bold ⦵/ JK–1mol–1
Mg(s) 32.7
O2(g) 205.0
MgO(s) 26.9

  A +210.8
  B –210.8
  C +216.6
  D –216.6

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2a
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7 marks

Prop-2-en-1-ol is an unsaturated alcohol with the structure shown.

q6-9cho-al-1-nov-2020-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem

A student planned to use bond enthalpy data to calculate a value for the enthalpy change of combustion of prop-2-en-1-ol.

i)
When researching the bond enthalpy data, the student claimed that it was not necessary to find the value for the C=C bond as they could use the value for a C–C bond and multiply it by two.
Explain why the student is incorrect.

(2)

ii)
Calculate a value for the enthalpy of combustion of prop-2-en-1-ol using the data shown.

C3H6O (g) + 4O2 (g) → 3CO2 (g) + 3H2O (g)

Bond C−C C=C C−O C=O O−H C−H O=O
Bond enthalpy /
kJ mol−1
347 612 358 805 464 413 498

(3)

iii)
Explain, in terms of entropy, why the combustion of prop-2-en-1-ol is always feasible in the gaseous state.

(2)

2b
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5 marks

Chemists are researching a process to make ethanol and ethene directly from carbon dioxide and water.


4CO2 (g) + 5H2O (l) → CH3CH2OH (l) + C2H4(g) + 6O2 (g)       ∆H  = +2778 kJ mol−1


  CO2 (g) H2O (l) CH3CH2OH (l) C2H4 (g) O2 (g)
S / J K−1 mol−1 213.6 69.9 160.7 219.5 205.0

Calculate ∆S total for the reaction and hence determine whether the reaction is feasible under standard conditions.

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3a
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3 marks

Sodium hydride, NaH, can be used to generate hydrogen for fuel cells.

In order to calculate the first electron affinity of hydrogen, a student was asked to draw a Born-Haber cycle for sodium hydride.

The cycle had two errors but the numerical data were correct.

q8a-9cho-al-1-june-2019-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem
i)
Identify and correct the two errors in this Born-Haber cycle.
(2)
ii)
Calculate the first electron affinity, in kJ mol–1, of hydrogen, using the values given in the cycle.
(1)

3b
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3 marks

The equation for the formation of sodium hydride is

Na (s) + ½H2 (g) → NaH (s) 


The standard entropy change of the system, increment S to the power of ⦵ subscript space system end subscript, for this reaction is  –76.5 J K–1 mol–1

i)
Deduce the feasibility of this reaction at 298 K by calculating the free energy change, increment G .

(2)

ii)
Calculate the temperature at which  increment G = 0.

(1)

3c1 mark

The sodium hydride is crushed in the presence of water to release the hydrogen gas for a fuel cell.

The overall equation for the reaction occurring in the fuel cell is

H2 (g) + ½O2 (g) → H2O (l)


In an alkaline fuel cell the oxidation half-equation is

H2 (g) + 2OH (aq) → 2H2O (l) + 2e– 


Deduce the reduction half-equation for the alkaline fuel cell.

State symbols are not required.

3d1 mark

Lattice energies provide an indication of ionic bond strength.

Which are the lattice energies of the hydrides NaH, KH and MgH2?

      Lattice energy / kJ mol–1
      Sodium hydride, NaH Potassium hydride, KH Magnesium hydride, MgH2
  A –804 –711 –1018
  B –804 –711 –2718
  C –804 –911 –1018
  D –804 –911 –2718

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4a2 marks

This question is about entropy and free energy.

Complete the table by giving the sign of the entropy change of the system, ∆Ssystem , for each reaction.

Reaction Sign of ∆Ssystem
CO2 (s) → CO2 (g)  
NaCl (s) + aq → NaCl (aq)  
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) → 2NH3 (g)  
4b
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3 marks

Calculate the total entropy change, ∆Stotal, for the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate at 298K.

CaCO3 (s) → CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

[Data: ∆rH = +178 kJ mol−1Ssystem = +160J K−1 mol−1]

4c
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10 marks

Sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen to form sulfur trioxide.


2SO2(g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)   ΔrH = -288.4 kJ mol−1


The standard molar entropy values at 298 K are given in the table.

  SO2 (g) O2 (g) SO3 (g)
S{"language":"en","fontFamily":"Times New Roman","fontSize":"18","autoformat":true}/ J K−1mol−1 +248.1 +205.0 +95.6

i)
Calculate the entropy change of the system, ΔSsystem, for the forward reaction.
Include a sign and units in your answer.

2SO2 (g) + O2( g) → 2SO3 (g)

(2)

ii)
Calculate the free energy change, ΔG, at 298 K and hence deduce whether the reaction is feasible.

(3)

iii)

In industry, the reaction is carried out at about 700 K using a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst.

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant, K, at 700 K.

ΔG at 700K is -60 kJ mol−1

(3)

iv)
The equilibrium constant has a larger value at 298 K than at 700K.
Explain why the reaction is carried out at 700 K and not at 298 K.

(2)

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