NVAEasyJEE 2025Gibbs Free Energy & Equilibrium Constant

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

The standard enthalpy and standard entropy of decomposition of N2O4N_2O_4 to NO2NO_2 are 55.0kJ mol155.0 \, \text{kJ mol}^{-1} and 175.0J/mol175.0 \, \text{J/mol} respectively. The standard free energy change for this reaction at 25C25^\circ \text{C} in J mol1\text{J mol}^{-1} is _____ (Nearest integer).

Answer

Correct answer:2850

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Decomposition of N2O4(g)2NO2(g)N_2O_4(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NO_2(g) with ΔH=55.0kJ mol1=55000J mol1\Delta H^\circ = 55.0 \, \text{kJ mol}^{-1} = 55000 \, \text{J mol}^{-1}, ΔS=175.0J mol1K1\Delta S^\circ = 175.0 \, \text{J mol}^{-1} \text{K}^{-1}, and T=25C=298KT = 25^\circ \text{C} = 298 \, \text{K}.

Find: The standard free energy change ΔG\Delta G^\circ in J mol1\text{J mol}^{-1}.

Use the Gibbs free energy relation:

ΔG=ΔHTΔS\Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ - T\Delta S^\circ

Substitute the given values:

ΔG=55000(298)(175)\Delta G^\circ = 55000 - (298)(175)

Now calculate:

ΔG=5500052150=2850J mol1\Delta G^\circ = 55000 - 52150 = 2850 \, \text{J mol}^{-1}

Therefore, the standard free energy change is 2850J mol12850 \, \text{J mol}^{-1}.

Unit Conversion First

Given: ΔH=55.0kJ mol1\Delta H^\circ = 55.0 \, \text{kJ mol}^{-1}, ΔS=175.0J mol1K1\Delta S^\circ = 175.0 \, \text{J mol}^{-1} \text{K}^{-1}, and T=298KT = 298 \, \text{K}.

Find: ΔG\Delta G^\circ.

First convert enthalpy into joules so that all units are consistent:

55.0kJ mol1=55.0×103J mol1=55000J mol155.0 \, \text{kJ mol}^{-1} = 55.0 \times 10^3 \, \text{J mol}^{-1} = 55000 \, \text{J mol}^{-1}

Now apply:

ΔG=ΔHTΔS\Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ - T\Delta S^\circ

So,

ΔG=(55.0×103)(298)(175)\Delta G^\circ = (55.0 \times 10^3) - (298)(175)

Next,

(298)(175)=52150(298)(175) = 52150

Hence,

ΔG=5500052150=2850J mol1\Delta G^\circ = 55000 - 52150 = 2850 \, \text{J mol}^{-1}

Therefore, the required numerical value is 2850.

Common mistakes

  • Using ΔG=ΔH+TΔS\Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ + T\Delta S^\circ is incorrect because the Gibbs relation has a minus sign. Always use ΔG=ΔHTΔS\Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ - T\Delta S^\circ.

  • Not converting ΔH\Delta H^\circ from kJ mol1\text{kJ mol}^{-1} to J mol1\text{J mol}^{-1} causes unit inconsistency. Convert enthalpy to joules before subtracting TΔST\Delta S^\circ.

  • Taking T=25T = 25 instead of 298K298 \, \text{K} is wrong because thermodynamic equations require absolute temperature. Convert 25C25^\circ \text{C} to 298K298 \, \text{K} first.

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