Topic: reaction of alcohol with potassium (Read 4212 times)

angelku · « **on:** November 22, 2007, 06:55:03 AM »

Explain why adding potassium to alcohols can burn?

AWK · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:26:46 AM »

Only on the surface of an alcohol!

angelku · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:35:19 AM »

I don't know how to explain it in terms of enthalpy change etc.

AWK · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:47:09 AM »

How much heat is evolved. It is sufficient to ignite burning of H2 in air?

angelku · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:57:07 AM »

Is it an exothermic reaction which release lots of heat to burn the H2 in air? What is the exact amount of heat in this reaction?

AWK · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2007, 08:09:00 AM »

"to start burning the H2 in air?"
Then this reaction releases much more heat.

Check thermodynamic tables for needed data