Entropy is a measure of the disorder of a system. Assume the entropy, S, for H₂O is zero at 0 K. The equation for a reaction that produces methanol is shown. CO2(g) + 3H2(g) → CH3OH(g) + H₂O(g) At 298 K, both products of this reaction are liquid. CO2(g) + 3H2(g) → CH3OH(l) + H₂O(l) ΔH° = -131 kJ mol⁻¹ Standard entropies are shown in the table. [Table: substance, S°/JK⁻¹mol⁻¹ for CO2(g), H2(g), CH3OH(l), H2O(l)] In a methanol-oxygen fuel cell, CH3OH(l) and O2(g) are in contact with two inert electrodes immersed in an acidic solution. The half-equation for the reaction at the methanol electrode is shown. CH3OH + H₂O ⇌ CO2 + 6H⁺ + 6e⁻ E° = -0.02 V
- (a)Sketch a graph on the axes to show how the entropy changes for H₂O between 0 K and 300 K. [Graph axes: S/JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹ vs temperature/K from 0 to 300] [2][2]
- (b)Place one tick (✔) in each row of the table to show the sign of the entropy changes, ΔS. | | ΔS is negative | ΔS is positive -----|----------------|-------------- solid dissolving in water | water boiling to steam | [1][1]
- (c)Use relevant bond energies from the Data Booklet to calculate the enthalpy change, ΔH, for this gas phase reaction. ΔH = ...................................... kJ mol⁻¹ [2][2]
- (d)(i)Calculate the standard entropy change, ΔS°, for this reaction. ΔS° = .............................................. JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹ [2][2]
- (d)(ii)Calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔG°, for this reaction at 298 K. ΔG° = .............................................. kJ mol⁻¹ [2][2]
- (d)(iii)Predict the effect of increasing the temperature on the feasibility of this reaction. [1][1]
- (e)(i)Use the Data Booklet to write an equation for the overall cell reaction. [1][1]
- (e)(ii)Use E° values to calculate the E°cell for this reaction. E°cell = ................................................ V [1][1]
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [1] M1 continuous increase in S from 0–300 K (excluding m.p.)
- [1] M2 steep vertical increase in S ONLY at the m.p. AND continuous increase in S after m.p.
- [1] for each correct tick
- solid dissolving in water: positive ΔS (✔)
- water boiling to steam: positive ΔS (✔)
- [1] ΔH° = (2 × C=O) + (3 × H-H) – (3 × C-H) – (C-O) – (3xO-H)
- [1] ΔH° = 1610 + 1308 – 1230 – 360 – 1380 = − 52 (kJ mol⁻¹) ecf correct answer scores [2]
- [1] ΔS° = 127 + 70 – (214 + 3 × 131)
- [1] = – 410 (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) ecf correct answer scores [2]
- [1] ΔG° = ΔH° – TΔS°
- [1] ΔG° = −131 – (298 × −0.41) = − 8.8(2) (kJ mol⁻¹) correct answer scores [2]
- [1] (as temperature increases) feasibility decreases
- [1] 2CH3OH + 3O2 ⇌ 2CO2 + 4H2O OR 2CH3OH + 3O2 ⇌ 2CO2 + 4H⁺ + 4OH⁻
- [1] E°cell = 1.23-0.02 = 1.21 V
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