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Decomposition reactions are usually endothermic, whereas combination reactions are usually exothermic. Give a qualitative explanation for these trends.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Decomposition reactions are endothermic because they require energy to break the existing chemical bonds in the compound. On the other hand, combination reactions are exothermic because they release energy when the new chemical bonds are formed.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Decomposition Reactions

In a decomposition reaction, a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. This reaction requires heat (energy) to break the chemical bonds in the compound. Therefore, decomposition reactions are usually endothermic - they absorb heat from the surroundings.
02

Understanding Combination Reactions

In a combination reaction, two or more substances combine to form a more complex substance. When substances combine, the chemical bonds between atoms are formed. The formation of bonds releases energy, hence combination reactions are usually exothermic - they release heat to the surroundings.
03

Correlation Between Reaction Type and Energy Transfer

The trends observed (endothermic decomposition reactions and exothermic combination reactions) can be attributed to the nature of chemical bonds. Breaking bonds (as in decomposition) requires energy input (endothermic), while forming bonds (as in combination) releases energy (exothermic).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Methanol \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}\right)\) is an organic solvent and is also used as a fuel in some automobile engines. From the following data, calculate the standard enthalpy of formation of methanol: $$ \begin{aligned} 2 \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}(l)+3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+4 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \\ \Delta H_{\mathrm{rxn}}^{\circ}=-1452.8 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \end{aligned} $$

Consider the following data: $$ \begin{array}{lcc} \text { Metal } & \text { Al } & \text { Cu } \\ \hline \text { Mass (g) } & 10 & 30 \\ \text { Specific heat }\left(\mathrm{J} / \mathrm{g} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) & 0.900 & 0.385 \\ \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) & 40 & 60 \end{array} $$ When these two metals are placed in contact, which of the following will take place? (a) Heat will flow from Al to Cu because Al has a larger specific heat. (b) Heat will flow from Cu to Al because Cu has a larger mass. (c) Heat will flow from Cu to Al because Cu has a larger heat capacity. (d) Heat will flow from Cu to Al because Cu is at a higher temperature. (e) No heat will flow in either direction.

Which is the more negative quantity at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}: \Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}\) for \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) or \(\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}\) for \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g) ?\)

(a) A snowmaking machine contains a mixture of compressed air and water vapor at about 20 atm. When the mixture is sprayed into the atmosphere it expands so rapidly that, as a good approximation, no heat exchange occurs between the system (air and water) and its surroundings. (In thermodynamics, such a process is called an adiabatic process.) Do a first law of thermodynamics analysis to show how snow is formed under these conditions. (b) If you have ever pumped air into a bicycle tire, you probably noticed a warming effect at the valve stem. The action of the pump compresses the air inside the pump and the tire. The process is rapid enough to be treated as an adiabatic process. Apply the first law of thermodynamics to account for the warming effect. (c) A driver's manual states that the stopping distance quadruples as the speed doubles; that is, if it takes \(30 \mathrm{ft}\) to stop a car traveling at \(25 \mathrm{mph}\) then it would take \(120 \mathrm{ft}\) to stop a car moving at 50 mph. Justify this statement by using the first law of thermodynamics. Assume that when a car is stopped, its kinetic energy \(\left(\frac{1}{2} m u^{2}\right)\) is totally converted to heat.

Define these terms: enthalpy, enthalpy of reaction. Under what condition is the heat of a reaction equal to the enthalpy change of the same reaction?

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