What is the enthalpy change for the reaction, W (s) + 3 H2O (g) –> WO3 (s) + 3 H2 (g) ? Given: 2 W (s) + 3 O2 (g) –> 2 WO3 (s) ΔH = – 1685.4 kJ H2 (g) + ½ O2 (g) –> H2O (g) ΔH = – 241.82 kJ
Expert Answer
The given reactions are as below:
2 W (s) + 3 O2 (g) ——-> 2 WO3 (s); ΔH = -1685.4 kJ…….(1)
H2 (g) + ½ O2 (g) ——-> H2O (g); ΔH = -241.8 kJ…….(2)
Divide (1) by 2 to get one unit, each of W and WO3. This will half the value of ΔH(1). Multiply (2) by 3 and subtract from the result above. This will increase the value of ΔH(2) by 3. Therefore, we have,
W (s) + 3/2 O2 (g) – 3 H2 (g) – 3/2 O2 (g) ——> WO3 (s) – 3 H2O (g)
Subtract common terms and get
W (s) + 3 H2O (g) ——> WO3 (s) + 3 H2 (g)
The above is our given reaction. The enthalpy change is given as
ΔH = ½*ΔH(1) – 3*ΔH(2) = ½*(-1685.4 kJ) – 3*(-241.8 kJ) = -842.7 kJ + 725.4 kJ = -117.3 kJ (ans).