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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: gramentz on April 29, 2009, 10:27:37 AM

Title: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: gramentz on April 29, 2009, 10:27:37 AM
A process has a standard enthalpy change of 1.98657 kJ/mol and a standard entropy change of 439.29385 J/mol K. Estimate the natural logarithm (ln(K)) of the equilibrium constant at 287.58K. Use R= 8.3144 J/mol K.

I think I have the proper equation to use?  :delta: G= -RT(lnK). This means that I have to find  :delta: G first, right? Then set that number equal to the natural log of K? I obtained a very large value for  :delta: G and am not able to find ln K. I've been searching for how to do this one for a long time. Appreciate any advice/ help.
Title: Re: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: sjb on April 29, 2009, 11:00:34 AM
It shouldn't be that large, can you show your working?
Title: Re: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: gramentz on April 29, 2009, 11:25:09 AM
This is how I was trying it:

 :delta: G=  :delta: H - T  :delta: S
 :delta: G= 1.98657-287.58(439.29385)
 :delta: G= -124.345

 :delta: G= -RT(lnK)
-124.345= - (8.3144)(287.58)(lnK)
~.052006=lnK?
final answer being 1.0533828417631?
Title: Re: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: sjb on April 29, 2009, 11:39:39 AM
This is how I was trying it:

 :delta: G=  :delta: H - T  :delta: S
 :delta: G= 1.98657-287.58(439.29385)
 :delta: G= -124.345

 :delta: G= -RT(lnK)
-124.345= - (8.3144)(287.58)(lnK)
~.052006=lnK?
final answer being 1.0533828417631?

Check your units! If I had a distance of 1.7 km to travel, and have already gone 43 m, how much further do I need to go?
Title: Re: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: Loyal on April 29, 2009, 11:46:20 AM
This is how I was trying it:

 :delta: G=  :delta: H - T  :delta: S
 :delta: G= 1.98657-287.58(439.29385)
 :delta: G= -124.345

 :delta: G= -RT(lnK)
-124.345= - (8.3144)(287.58)(lnK)
~.052006=lnK?
final answer being 1.0533828417631?

I see your error.  The units on  :delta: G is in kJ, but on R it is in J. Correct that and your answer should look a lot better.

Also a slight error on R.  The value out to that many decimals is 8.3145 not 8.3144.
Title: Re: Solving for lnK in (enthalpy/entropy)
Post by: gramentz on April 29, 2009, 11:56:57 AM
The only reason why I'm using the value of R given is because it says to in the instructions. The error tolerance for the answer can be +/- 1 percent.

-124.345= -(.0083144)(287.58)(lnK)
-124.345= -2.391055152 (lnK)
52.00423= lnK
= 3.8472763413229E+22