For the reactions, H2(g)+Cl2(g)-----2HCl(g)+xKJ H2(g)+Cl2(g)-----2HCl(l)+yKJ Which one of the following statement is correct? A)xy B)x

Question

For the reactions,
H2(g)+Cl2(g)----->2HCl(g)+xKJ
H2(g)+Cl2(g)----->2HCl(l)+yKJ
Which one of the following statement is correct?
A)x>y B)x<y C)x=y D)more data required

Luna Chen · Accepted Answer

This is quite a difficult question in that we have to make assumptions: I think the answer is #B#

#H_2(g) + Cl_2(g) rarr 2HCl(g) +Delta_1#

#H_2(g) + Cl_2(g) rarr 2HCl(l) +Delta_2#

The difference between #Delta_1# and #Delta_2# is the process:

#2HCl(l) + Deltararr2HCl(g)#

Energy is used to boil the liquid. #Delta_2# as written should be larger than #Delta_1# (i.e. when the gas is condensed energy is released).

Note that the fact that exothermic reactions (and this one certainly is) are written as NEGATIVE, is a distractor. Here, because the energy is listed as a product (and not as a separate thermoodynamic property), we should be able to say that #Delta_2>Delta_1#. That is we get more energy out when the product is a liquid than when it is a gas.

Others might view this differently (and they might even have a better explanation for the response!).

Natalie Anton · Answer

undefined The correct statement is B) x < y.

For the reactions, H2(g)+Cl2(g)-----&gt;2HCl(g)+xKJ H2(g)+Cl2(g)-----&gt;2HCl(l)+yKJ Which one of the following statement is correct? A)x&gt;y B)x&lt;y C)x=y D)more data required

For the reactions, H2(g)+Cl2(g)----->2HCl(g)+xKJ H2(g)+Cl2(g)----->2HCl(l)+yKJ Which one of the following statement is correct? A)x>y B)x<y C)x=y D)more data required