Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry - Result Question 13

13. For the chemical reaction, $X \rightleftharpoons Y$, the standard reaction Gibbs energy depends on temperature $T$ (in $K$ ) as

$ \Delta _r G^{\circ}(\text { in } kJ $ $mol^{-1})=120-\frac{3}{8} T $

The major component of the reaction mixture at $T$ is

(2019 Main, 11 Jan I)

(a) $Y$ if $T=280 K$

(b) $X$ if $T=350 K$

(c) $X$ if $T=315 K$

(d) $Y$ if $T=300 K$

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Answer:

Correct Answer: 13. (c)

Solution:

For a given value of $T$,

(i) If $\Delta _r G^{\circ}$ becomes $ < 0$, the forward direction will be spontaneous and then the major and minor components will be $Y$ and $X$ respectively.

(ii) If $\Delta _r G^{\circ}$ becomes $>0$, the forward direction will be non-spontaneous and then the major and minor components will be $X$ and $Y$ respectively.

(a) $\Delta _r G^{\circ}=120-\frac{3}{8} \times 280=15$

i.e. $\Delta _r G^{\circ} > 0$ , major component $=X$;

(b) $\Delta _r G^{\circ}=120-\frac{3}{8} \times 350=-11.25$

i.e. $\Delta _r G^{\circ} < 0$, major component $=Y$

(c) $\Delta _r G^{\circ}=120-\frac{3}{8} \times 315=1.875$

i.e. $\Delta _r G^{\circ} > 0$, major component $=X$

(d) $\Delta _r G^{\circ}=120-\frac{3}{8} \times 300=7.5$

i.e. $\Delta _r G^{\circ} > 0$, major component $=X$