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Hydrogen reacts explosively with oxygen. However, a mixture of \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) can exist indefinitely at room temperature. Explain why \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) do not react under these conditions.

Short Answer

Expert verified
At room temperature, hydrogen and oxygen do not react spontaneously due to insufficient ambient energy, improper conditions for collision according to the collision theory, and the absence of a catalyst. These factors prevent the gases from overcoming the activation energy required to initiate the explosive reaction, thus allowing them to coexist indefinitely.

Step by step solution

01

Activation Energy

In order for a chemical reaction to occur, the reactants must overcome a certain energy threshold known as the activation energy. Activation energy is the minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction, and the Ambient energy at room temperature might not be enough to reach this activation energy level. Consequently, Hydrogen and Oxygen can exist together at room temperature without reacting spontaneously.
02

Collision Theory

According to the collision theory, a chemical reaction occurs when reactant particles collide with the appropriate orientation and with enough energy to break and form new bonds. At room temperature, the gas molecules may not collide frequently or forcefully enough to initiate the reaction between Hydrogen and Oxygen.
03

Reaction Catalyst

In many chemical reactions, the presence of a catalyst greatly influences the rate of reaction. A catalyst lowers the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, making it easier for the reactants to overcome the energy barrier. In the case of the reaction between Hydrogen and Oxygen at room temperature, there may be no catalyst present, resulting in the lack of spontaneous reaction between the two gases. To summarize, at room temperature, the lack of sufficient ambient energy, proper conditions for collision, and catalyst presence are factors that prevent Hydrogen and Oxygen from reacting explosively, allowing them to coexist indefinitely.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider the general reaction $$ \mathrm{aA}+\mathrm{bB} \longrightarrow \mathrm{cC} $$ and the following average rate data over some time period \(\Delta t\) : $$ \begin{aligned} -\frac{\Delta \mathrm{A}}{\Delta t} &=0.0080 \mathrm{~mol} / \mathrm{L} \cdot \mathrm{s} \\ -\frac{\Delta \mathrm{B}}{\Delta t} &=0.0120 \mathrm{~mol} / \mathrm{L} \cdot \mathrm{s} \\ \frac{\Delta \mathrm{C}}{\Delta t} &=0.0160 \mathrm{~mol} / \mathrm{L} \cdot \mathrm{s} \end{aligned} $$ Determine a set of possible coefficients to balance this general reaction.

The reaction $$ \left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CBr}+\mathrm{OH}^{-} \longrightarrow\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{COH}+\mathrm{Br}^{-} $$ in a certain solvent is first order with respect to \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CBr}\) and zero order with respect to \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\). In several experiments, the rate constant \(k\) was determined at different temperatures. A plot of \(\ln (k)\) versus \(1 / T\) was constructed resulting in a straight line with a slope value of \(-1.10 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~K}\) and \(y\) -intercept of \(33.5\). Assume \(k\) has units of \(\mathrm{s}^{-1}\). a. Determine the activation energy for this reaction. b. Determine the value of the frequency factor \(A\). c. Calculate the value of \(k\) at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\).

One mechanism for the destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere is $$ \begin{array}{ll} \mathrm{O}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{NO}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) & \text { Slov } \\ \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{NO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) & \text { Fast } \\ \hline \end{array} $$ Overall reaction \(\mathrm{O}_{3}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{O}(\mathrm{g}) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})\) a. Which species is a catalyst? b. Which species is an intermediate? c. \(E_{\mathrm{a}}\) for the uncatalyzed reaction $$ \mathrm{O}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{O}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{O}_{2} $$ is \(14.0 \mathrm{~kJ} . E_{\mathrm{a}}\) for the same reaction when catalyzed is \(11.9 \mathrm{~kJ}\). What is the ratio of the rate constant for the catalyzed reaction to that for the uncatalyzed reaction at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ? Assume that the frequency factor \(A\) is the same for each reaction.

The activation energy of a certain uncatalyzed biochemical reaction is \(50.0 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\). In the presence of a catalyst at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), the rate constant for the reaction increases by a factor of \(2.50 \times 10^{3}\) as compared with the uncatalyzed reaction. Assuming the frequency factor \(A\) is the same for both the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions, calculate the activation energy for the catalyzed reaction.

For the reaction \(\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B} \rightarrow \mathrm{C}\), explain at least two ways in which the rate law could be zero order in chemical A.

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