7. The standard enthalpy change of combustion of heptane, C7H16, at 298 K, is -4817 kJ mol¯¹.
(a) Write a thermochemical equation for the complete combustion of heptane to carbon
dioxide and water.
(b) What is the enthalpy change when 50 g of heptane are burned? (-2408.5 kJ)
(c) What mass of heptane would be needed to provide 100 MJ of energy? (2.08 kg)



Answer :

Certainly! Let's go through each part of the problem step-by-step.

### (a) Thermochemical Equation for the Complete Combustion of Heptane

The chemical formula for heptane is [tex]\( \text{C}_7\text{H}_{16} \)[/tex]. The combustion of heptane in the presence of oxygen produces carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]) and water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]).

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

[tex]\[ \text{C}_7\text{H}_{16} + 11\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 7\text{CO}_2 + 8\text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]

So, the thermochemical equation is:

[tex]\[ \text{C}_7\text{H}_{16} + 11\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 7\text{CO}_2 + 8\text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]

### (b) Enthalpy Change When 50 g of Heptane Are Burned

Given:
- The molar mass of heptane ([tex]\( \text{C}_7\text{H}_{16} \)[/tex]) is 100.21 g/mol.
- The standard enthalpy change of combustion of heptane is [tex]\(-4817 \, \text{kJ/mol}\)[/tex].
- Mass of heptane burned is 50 g.

First, we need to calculate the moles of heptane burned:

[tex]\[ \text{Moles of heptane burned} = \frac{\text{Mass of heptane}}{\text{Molar mass of heptane}} = \frac{50 \, \text{g}}{100.21 \, \text{g/mol}} \approx 0.499 \, \text{mol} \][/tex]

Next, we calculate the enthalpy change for burning 50 g of heptane:

[tex]\[ \text{Enthalpy change} = \text{Moles of heptane} \times \Delta H_{\text{comb}} = 0.499 \, \text{mol} \times (-4817 \, \text{kJ/mol}) \approx -2403.5 \, \text{kJ} \][/tex]

So, the enthalpy change when 50 g of heptane are burned is approximately [tex]\(-2403.5 \, \text{kJ}\)[/tex].

### (c) Mass of Heptane Needed to Provide 100 MJ of Energy

Given:
- Desired energy: [tex]\(100 \, \text{MJ}\)[/tex]
- Standard enthalpy change of combustion of heptane: [tex]\(-4817 \, \text{kJ/mol}\)[/tex]
- 1 MJ = 1000 kJ

First, we convert the desired energy into kJ:

[tex]\[ 100 \, \text{MJ} = 100 \times 1000 \, \text{kJ} = 100000 \, \text{kJ} \][/tex]

Next, we calculate the moles of heptane needed to provide this amount of energy:

[tex]\[ \text{Moles needed} = \frac{\text{Desired energy}}{\Delta H_{\text{comb}}} = \frac{100000 \, \text{kJ}}{-4817 \, \text{kJ/mol}} \approx -20.802 \, \text{mol} \][/tex]

Since combustion is an exothermic reaction and the enthalpy change is negative, we take the absolute value of the moles needed:

[tex]\[ \text{Moles needed} \approx 20.802 \, \text{mol} \][/tex]

Finally, we determine the mass of heptane needed:

[tex]\[ \text{Mass of heptane needed} = \text{Moles needed} \times \text{Molar mass of heptane} = 20.802 \, \text{mol} \times 100.21 \, \text{g/mol} \approx 2080.3 \, \text{g} \][/tex]

Converting this mass to kilograms:

[tex]\[ 2080.3 \, \text{g} = 2.08 \, \text{kg} \][/tex]

So, the mass of heptane needed to provide 100 MJ of energy is approximately [tex]\(2.08 \, \text{kg}\)[/tex].