IChO 2020 · Theory problem 6

Thermodynamics through an Interstellar Journey

Part 1

In a hypothetical universe, an unknown amount of diborane participates in the following reaction:

Figure 1

Assume that in this hypothetical universe, \(\ce{H3BO3(s)}\) obtained from this reaction was completely sublimed at 300 K. The necessary energy for sublimation was obtained through work released by one cycle of an ideal heat engine in which one mole of monoatomic perfect gas flows through the cycle described in the pressure (\(p\)) – volume (\(V\)) diagram below:

  • A→B; isothermal reversible expansion receiving 250 J by heat transfer (\(q_H\)) at a temperature of 1000 K (\(T_H\)) from a hot source.
  • B→D; reversible adiabatic expansion.
  • D→C; isothermal reversible compression at a temperature of 300 K (\(T_C\)) releasing some amount of heat (\(q_C\)) to a cold sink.
  • C→A; reversible adiabatic compression.
Figure 2

After heat transfers, the remaining energy is released as work (\(w\)). Also, \(q_H\) and \(q_C\) are related to \(T_C\) and \(T_H\) as follows:

\[ \frac{|q_H|}{|q_C|}=\frac{T_H}{T_C} \]

The efficiency of the cycle can be found by work released by cycle (\(w\)) divided by heat absorbed by cycle (\(q_H\)).

You are provided with the change in enthalpies of the following reactions at 300 K.

Figure 3

6.1 Calculate the molar enthalpy of sublimation (in \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) for \(\ce{H3BO3}\) at 300 K.

6.2 Calculate the \(\Delta_r U\) (internal energy) in terms of \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) at 300 K for the reactions (2) and (4) given above (assume ideal gas behavior for each gaseous species in each reaction).

6.3 Calculate the amount of overall work produced by a heat engine (\(|w|\)) in terms of J and the amount of overall heat released to the cold sink (\(|q_C|\)) in terms of J.

6.4 Calculate the efficiency of the heat engine described above.

6.5 Calculate the entropy change (\(\Delta S\)) for A→B and D→C processes in the heat engine in terms of \(\mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}\).

6.6 Calculate the Gibbs energy change (\(\Delta G\)) in terms of J for A→B and D→C processes in the heat engine.

6.7 Calculate the ratio of pressure at point A to the pressure at point B in the cycle (standard pressure: 1 bar).

6.8 Calculate the amount of \(\ce{H2(g)}\) (in moles) produced according to the reaction given at the beginning of the task for one cycle of the engine.

Part 2

Interstellar journeys can be done by using diborane as rocket fuel. Combustion of diborane is shown below:

Figure 4

Combustion of diborane is experimented in a closed container (\(100\ \mathrm{dm^3}\)) at different temperatures and the equilibrium amounts were recorded.

Temperature 8930 K 9005 K
\(\ce{B2H6(g)}\) 0.38 mol 0.49 mol
\(\ce{H2O(g)}\) 0.20 mol 0.20 mol

Partial pressure of \(\ce{O2(g)}\) was stabilized to 1 bar and kept constant at all conditions.

Assume that in this hypothetical universe; \(\Delta_r S^\circ\) and \(\Delta_r H^\circ\) are independent of temperature, the standard molar entropy (\(S^\circ\)) of \(\ce{B2O3(s)}\) does not change with pressure, all the gas species behave as an ideal gas, and all species remain in the same phase, without any further decomposition before or after reaction, at all temperatures then:

6.9 Calculate \(K_p\) (pressure based equilibrium constant) at 8930 K and 9005 K.

6.10 Calculate \(\Delta_r G^\circ\) of the reaction in terms of \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) at 8930 K and 9005 K. (If you failed to find \(K_p\), please use \(K_p\) (8930 K) = 2, \(K_p\) (9005 K) = 0.5.)

6.11 Calculate \(\Delta_r G^\circ\) (in terms of \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)), \(\Delta_r H^\circ\) (in terms of \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)), and \(\Delta_r S^\circ\) (in terms of \(\mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\)) of the combustion reaction at 298 K. (If you failed to find \(K_p\), please use \(K_p\)(8930 K) = 2, \(K_p\)(9005 K) = 0.5)

6.12 Tick the correct answer in the table by determining whether combustion reactions are favored or not at given temperature \(T\) below under standard pressure (1 bar).

Temperature Favored Unfavored
298 K ☐ ☐
8930 K ☐ ☐
9005 K ☐ ☐
9100 K ☐ ☐

6.13 Calculate the \(\Delta_f H\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) and \(S^\circ\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\)) of \(\ce{H2O(g)}\) using the values given in the table below. (\(\Delta_f H\) = enthalpy of formation, \(S^\circ\) = standard entropy)

(If you fail to find \(\Delta_r H^\circ\) and \(\Delta_r S^\circ\) of the combustion, please use \(\Delta H^\circ=1000\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\), \(\Delta S^\circ=150\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}\,mol^{-1}}\))

Compound \(\Delta H_f\) (298 K) \(S^\circ\) (298 K)
\(\ce{B2H6(g)}\) \(36.40\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) \(0.23\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\)
\(\ce{O2(g)}\) \(0.00\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) \(0.16\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\)
\(\ce{B2O3(s)}\) \(-1273\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) \(0.05\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\)

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 6.1: Boric acid, \(\ce{H3BO3}\), SMILES OB(O)O: \(\boxed{\Delta_{\mathrm{sub}}H=+25.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\).
  • 6.2: \(\boxed{\Delta_r U(2)=-120.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\); \(\boxed{\Delta_r U(4)=-92.3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\).
  • 6.3: \(\boxed{|w|=175\ \mathrm J}\); \(\boxed{|q_C|=75\ \mathrm J}\).
  • 6.4: \(\boxed{\eta=0.700=70.0\%}\).
  • 6.5: \(\boxed{\Delta S_{\mathrm{A\to B}}=+0.250\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}}\); \(\boxed{\Delta S_{\mathrm{D\to C}}=-0.250\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}}\).
  • 6.6: \(\boxed{\Delta G_{\mathrm{A\to B}}=-250\ \mathrm J}\); \(\boxed{\Delta G_{\mathrm{D\to C}}=+75\ \mathrm J}\).
  • 6.7: \(\boxed{p_A/p_B=1.0305\approx1.031}\).
  • 6.8: Hydrogen, \(\ce{H2}\), SMILES [H][H]: \(\boxed{n=2.10\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol}}\).
  • 6.9: \(\boxed{K_p(8930\ \mathrm K)=1.16}\); \(\boxed{K_p(9005\ \mathrm K)=0.915}\), using dimensionless standard-state-normalized constants.
  • 6.10: \(\boxed{\Delta_r G^\circ(8930\ \mathrm K)\approx-11.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\); \(\boxed{\Delta_r G^\circ(9005\ \mathrm K)\approx+6.64\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\).
  • 6.11: At 298 K, \(\boxed{\Delta_r G^\circ\approx-2.05\times10^3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\), \(\boxed{\Delta_r H^\circ\approx-2.12\times10^3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\), and \(\boxed{\Delta_r S^\circ\approx-236\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}}\).
  • 6.12: Favored: 298 K and 8930 K. Unfavored: 9005 K and 9100 K.
  • 6.13: Water vapor, \(\ce{H2O(g)}\), SMILES O: \(\boxed{\Delta_f H^\circ\approx-269\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\), \(\boxed{S^\circ\approx0.141\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}}\).

Solution

Use the gas constant \[ R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}} =0.08314\ \mathrm{bar\,dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}. \] For the working gas, heat entering is positive, and \(w\) denotes work done on the gas, so \(\Delta U=q+w\). The engine’s work output is \(|w|\). Extra digits are retained in intermediate calculations.

6.1

The required sublimation of boric acid is \[ \ce{H3BO3(s) -> H3BO3(g)}. \]

Combine the supplied reactions as \[ (1)+2(2)-12(4). \] The chlorine, boron trichloride, and hydrogen chloride cancel, giving \[ \ce{B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) -> 2H3BO3(g) + 6H2(g)}. \] Its reaction enthalpy is \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r H_{\mathrm{gas}} &=-1326+2(-112.5)-12(-92.3)\\ &=-443.4\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Subtract reaction (3), \[ \ce{B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) -> 2H3BO3(s) + 6H2(g)}, \] whose enthalpy is \(-493.4\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\). The net process is \[ \ce{2H3BO3(s) -> 2H3BO3(g)}, \] with enthalpy change \[ -443.4-(-493.4)=+50.0\ \mathrm{kJ} \] for subliming two moles. Hence \[ \boxed{\Delta_{\mathrm{sub}}H(300\ \mathrm K)=+25.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

6.2

For ideal gases, neglecting the small \(pV\) contributions of condensed phases, \[ \Delta_r H=\Delta_r U+\Delta n_gRT, \] where \(\Delta n_g\) is gaseous product stoichiometry minus gaseous reactant stoichiometry.

For reaction (2), \[ \ce{BCl3(g) + 3H2O(l) -> H3BO3(g) + 3HCl(g)}, \] the liquid water does not contribute to \(\Delta n_g\), so \[ \Delta n_g=(1+3)-1=3. \] Therefore \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r U(2) &=-112.5-\frac{3(8.314)(300)}{1000}\\ &=-119.9826\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\\ &\boxed{\approx-120.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

For reaction (4), \[ \ce{1/2 H2(g) + 1/2 Cl2(g) -> HCl(g)}, \] \[ \Delta n_g=1-\frac12-\frac12=0. \] Thus \[ \boxed{\Delta_r U(4)=\Delta_r H(4)=-92.3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

6.3

The given reversible-engine relation gives \[ |q_C|=|q_H|\frac{T_C}{T_H} =250\frac{300}{1000} =\boxed{75\ \mathrm J}. \]

The gas returns to its initial state after a cycle, so \(\Delta U_{\mathrm{cycle}}=0\). Its net heat input is \[ q_{\mathrm{net}}=250-75=175\ \mathrm J. \] Consequently, \(w=-175\ \mathrm J\), and the work produced is \[ \boxed{|w|=175\ \mathrm J}. \]

6.4

\[ \eta=\frac{|w|}{q_H} =\frac{175}{250} =1-\frac{300}{1000} =\boxed{0.700=70.0\%}. \]

6.5

For a reversible isothermal process, \[ \Delta S=\frac{q_{\mathrm{rev}}}{T}. \]

During A→B, the gas absorbs heat: \[ \boxed{\Delta S_{\mathrm{A\to B}} =\frac{250}{1000} =+0.250\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}}. \]

During D→C, it releases heat: \[ \boxed{\Delta S_{\mathrm{D\to C}} =\frac{-75}{300} =-0.250\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}}. \]

The two reversible adiabatic steps have zero entropy change, so the total entropy change of the working gas over the cycle is zero.

6.6

An ideal gas’s enthalpy depends only on temperature. Therefore, for each isothermal step, \(\Delta H=0\), and \[ \Delta G=\Delta H-T\Delta S=-T\Delta S. \]

Thus \[ \boxed{\Delta G_{\mathrm{A\to B}} =-1000(0.250)=-250\ \mathrm J}, \] and \[ \boxed{\Delta G_{\mathrm{D\to C}} =-300(-0.250)=+75\ \mathrm J}. \]

6.7

For the reversible isothermal expansion of one mole, \[ q_H=nRT_H\ln\!\left(\frac{V_B}{V_A}\right). \] Because \(p_AV_A=p_BV_B\), \[ \frac{V_B}{V_A}=\frac{p_A}{p_B}. \] Therefore \[ \ln\!\left(\frac{p_A}{p_B}\right) =\frac{250}{(1)(8.314)(1000)}, \] and \[ \boxed{\frac{p_A}{p_B} =\exp\!\left(\frac{250}{8314}\right) =1.030526\approx1.031}. \]

The standard pressure cancels from this pressure ratio.

6.8

The balanced reaction, consistent with reaction (3), is \[ \ce{B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) -> 2H3BO3(s) + 6H2(g)}. \]

All \(175\ \mathrm J\) of work output supplies the sublimation energy. Thus \[ n\!\left(\ce{H3BO3}\right) =\frac{175\ \mathrm J}{25.0\times10^3\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}} =7.00\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

The reaction produces six moles of hydrogen for every two moles of boric acid: \[ \begin{aligned} n\!\left(\ce{H2}\right) &=\frac62\,n\!\left(\ce{H3BO3}\right)\\ &=3(7.00\times10^{-3})\\ &=\boxed{2.10\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol}}. \end{aligned} \]

6.9

The balanced combustion reaction is \[ \ce{B2H6(g) + 3O2(g) -> B2O3(s) + 3H2O(g)}. \]

Taking the activity of pure solid \(\ce{B2O3}\) as unity, \[ K_p= \frac{(p_{\ce{H2O}}/p^\circ)^3} {(p_{\ce{B2H6}}/p^\circ)(p_{\ce{O2}}/p^\circ)^3}, \qquad p^\circ=1\ \mathrm{bar}. \] Since \(p_{\ce{O2}}=p^\circ\), its factor equals one.

Using \(p_i=n_iRT/V\) with \(V=100\ \mathrm{dm^3}\):

Temperature \(p_{\ce{B2H6}}\) / bar \(p_{\ce{H2O}}\) / bar
8930 K \(\dfrac{0.38(0.08314)(8930)}{100}=2.82127276\) \(\dfrac{0.20(0.08314)(8930)}{100}=1.48488040\)
9005 K \(\dfrac{0.49(0.08314)(9005)}{100}=3.66851093\) \(\dfrac{0.20(0.08314)(9005)}{100}=1.49735140\)

The pressure ratios are dimensionless, giving \[ K_p(8930\ \mathrm K) =\frac{(1.48488040)^3}{2.82127276} =1.16045779 \boxed{\approx1.16}, \] and \[ K_p(9005\ \mathrm K) =\frac{(1.49735140)^3}{3.66851093} =0.91512703 \boxed{\approx0.915}. \]

6.10

The standard reaction Gibbs energy is \[ \Delta_r G^\circ=-RT\ln K_p. \]

At 8930 K, \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r G^\circ &=-\frac{(8.314)(8930)\ln(1.16045779)}{1000}\\ &=-11.04859\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\\ &\boxed{\approx-11.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

At 9005 K, \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r G^\circ &=-\frac{(8.314)(9005)\ln(0.91512703)}{1000}\\ &=+6.64018\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\\ &\boxed{\approx+6.64\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

These are standard reaction Gibbs energies. The actual reaction Gibbs energy at each equilibrium composition is zero.

6.11

By assumption, \(\Delta_r H^\circ\) and \(\Delta_r S^\circ\) are temperature-independent. Therefore \[ \Delta_r G^\circ(T)=\Delta_r H^\circ-T\Delta_r S^\circ. \]

Subtracting this equation at the two temperatures, \[ \Delta_r S^\circ =-\frac{\Delta_r G^\circ(9005)-\Delta_r G^\circ(8930)} {9005-8930}. \] Using the unrounded values, \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r S^\circ &=-\frac{6.640184-(-11.048592)}{75}\\ &=-0.23585035\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\\ &=\boxed{-235.85035\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}} \approx-236\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

Then \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r H^\circ &=\Delta_r G^\circ(8930)+8930\Delta_r S^\circ\\ &=-11.048592+8930(-0.23585035)\\ &=-2117.19224\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\\ &\boxed{\approx-2.12\times10^3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

These enthalpy and entropy values also apply at 298 K. Hence \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r G^\circ(298) &=-2117.19224-298(-0.23585035)\\ &=-2046.90884\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\\ &\boxed{\approx-2.05\times10^3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

As an independent check, the integrated van ’t Hoff equation, \[ \ln\!\left(\frac{K_{p,2}}{K_{p,1}}\right) =-\frac{\Delta_r H^\circ}{R} \left(\frac1{T_2}-\frac1{T_1}\right), \] gives the same reaction enthalpy.

6.12

Under standard-state conditions, combustion is favored when \(\Delta_r G^\circ<0\).

Here, \[ \Delta_r G^\circ(T) =-2117.19224+0.23585035T \quad\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}, \] with \(T\) in kelvin. Thus:

Temperature \(\Delta_r G^\circ\) / \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) Favored Unfavored
298 K \(-2046.91\) ✓
8930 K \(-11.05\) ✓
9005 K \(+6.64\) ✓
9100 K \(+29.05\) ✓

The crossover temperature is \[ T_*=\frac{\Delta_r H^\circ}{\Delta_r S^\circ} =\frac{-2117.19224}{-0.23585035} \approx8977\ \mathrm K. \] Because both \(\Delta_r H^\circ\) and \(\Delta_r S^\circ\) are negative, combustion is favored below this temperature.

6.13

The standard formation reaction for water vapor is \[ \ce{H2(g) + 1/2 O2(g) -> H2O(g)}. \]

Let \[ h=\Delta_f H^\circ\!\left(\ce{H2O(g)}\right). \] For the combustion reaction, the sum of product formation enthalpies minus the sum for reactants gives \[ \Delta_r H^\circ =\left[-1273+3h\right]-\left[36.40+3(0.00)\right]. \] Therefore \[ -2117.19224=3h-1309.40, \] so \[ \boxed{ h=\frac{-2117.19224+1309.40}{3} =-269.26408 \approx-269\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}} }. \]

Similarly, let \[ s=S^\circ\!\left(\ce{H2O(g)}\right) \] in \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\). Then \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_r S^\circ &=\left[0.05+3s\right]-\left[0.23+3(0.16)\right]\\ &=3s-0.66. \end{aligned} \] Using \(\Delta_r S^\circ=-0.23585035\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\), \[ \boxed{ s=\frac{-0.23585035+0.66}{3} =0.14138322 \approx0.141\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}} }. \]

These values follow from the stipulated hypothetical-universe data.

The solution was checked against the official solution. Where this solution differs from the official solution, the official solution contains an error or a misprint.