Liquid ethanol combusts completely in oxygen according to the equation

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Energetics · Energetics

Problem

Liquid ethanol combusts completely in oxygen according to the equation C2H5OH(l)+3 O2(g)→2 CO2(g)+3 H2O(l)\mathrm{C_2H_5OH(l) + 3\,O_2(g) \rightarrow 2\,CO_2(g) + 3\,H_2O(l)}. Thermodynamic data (standard conditions):
SubstanceEnergy value
C2H5OH(l)\mathrm{C_2H_5OH(l)}−277.7 kJ-277.7\,\text{kJ} for 0.500 mol0.500\,\text{mol}
CO2(g)\mathrm{CO_2(g)}−393.5 kJ mol−1-393.5\,\text{kJ\,mol}^{-1}
H2O(l)\mathrm{H_2O(l)}−285.8 kJ mol−1-285.8\,\text{kJ\,mol}^{-1}
Density of liquid ethanol: 0.789 g mL−10.789\,\text{g\,mL}^{-1}. (a) Convert the energy value given for liquid ethanol to a molar standard enthalpy of formation, in kJ mol−1\text{kJ\,mol}^{-1}. (b) Calculate the standard enthalpy change, in kJ, for the combustion reaction as written. (c) Determine the standard enthalpy change, in kJ, associated with burning exactly 1.00 L1.00\,\text{L} of liquid ethanol under standard conditions. Include density and molar-mass calculations. (d) Discuss two practical factors that could cause the actual heat released in a real-world combustion device to differ from the value calculated in part (c).

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