1.

Calculate the free energy change for the complete combustion of one mole of methane, CH4(g), the main component of natural gas. Is this reaction spontaneous?

Answer»

We begin by writing the equation that represents this reaction. Recall that "complete combustion," or burning, is a reaction with oxygen from the atmosphere, forming carbon dioxide and water:

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) 

ΔG° = (1 mol)[ΔGf° for CO2(g)] + (2 mol)[ΔGf° for H2O(l)] – (1 mol)[ΔGf° for CH4(g)] – (2 mol)[ΔGf° for O2(g)] = (1 mol) (–394.4 kJ/mol) + (2 mol) (–237.0 kJ/mol) – (1 mol) (–50.8 kJ/mol) – (2 mol) (0) = –817.6 kJ 

The negative value of ΔG° indicates that the reaction is spontaneous. This matches ourexperiences in everyday life, where we have seen that natural gas burns spontaneously.



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