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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: nikita on October 25, 2008, 08:26:26 PM

Title: Calculate enthalpy of reaction
Post by: nikita on October 25, 2008, 08:26:26 PM
Calculate the enthalpy of the reaction
4B(s) + 3O2(g)  :rarrow: 2B2O3

given the following pertinent information:
A. B2O3(s) + 3H2O(g) -> 3O2(g) + B2H6(g)  :delta: H = 2035kJ
B. 2B(s) + 3H2(g) -> B2H6(g)  :delta: H = 36kJ
C. H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) -> H2O(l)  :delta: H = -285kJ
D. H2O(l) -> H2O(g)  :delta: H = 44kJ

Express your answer numerically in kilojoules per mole.

i just want to make sure I am doing this correctly.  I am going to write what the equations become and the new  :delta:H.

A.  multiply all by -2:
     6O2+2B2H6 :rarrow: 2B2O3+ 6H2O   :delta: H  -4070kj
B.  multiply all by 2:
      4B+6H2 :rarrow: 2B2H6  :delta: H +72kj
C.  multiply all by -6:
      6H20 :rarrow: 6H2+3O2   :delta: H +1710
D.  leave as is
       H2O(l)  :rarrow: H2O(g)  :delta: H +44

IMO everything cancels except the original equation, 4B + 3O2  :rarrow: 2B2O3 . I am not getting the correct answer.  Have I been looking at this so long that I am missing something obvious?  I am starting to not be able to do it anymore, but Ive done it several times and always come out with -2244kj.  Any insight as to what I am doing wrong?
Title: Re: Calculate enthalpy of reaction
Post by: enahs on October 25, 2008, 11:43:45 PM
You have to reverse D and multiply times 6 as well, other wise your waters do not cancel.
Title: Re: Calculate enthalpy of reaction
Post by: nikita on October 26, 2008, 02:09:47 PM
I cannot believe that I can look at a problem that many times and not see the liquid and the gas.  thank you, i needed some fresh eyes.