A diamond is said to last forever. Many believe this eternal existence is related to its hardness and crystalline structure. But, in actuality, it is related to the chemical process and associated energy changes that keep a diamond in its endless form. Based upon a law of thermodynamics, the conversion of a crystalline carbon (e.g., a diamond) to an amorphous carbon (e.g., graphite) is exergonic under normal atmospheric conditions and should spontaneously happen when diamonds are moved from underground to the surface at sea level. In theory, diamonds should only exist under high pressure (> 1 atm) between rocks and never above ground, out in the open atmosphere (~1 atm pressure). But, in reality, when we wear diamond jewelry, we never see a diamond disintegrate. A. There is a reason to explain why this spontaneous reaction (diamond ---> graphite + energy) never occurs. And this reason is related to the activation energy requirement needed for this reaction to move forward. Can you explain why this spontaneous reaction-aka, exergonic reaction-never happens and the diamonds in our jewelry lasts forever? C(diamond) ---> C(graphite) + energy, Delta G = -1.897 kJ/mole B. This phenomenon makes diamonds valuable from both an economic and energy perspective. Are there other materials that have added value related to the energy processes associated with its chemical change? What is its value and why? This value can be related to economics or not, just as long as it is important to solving a critical problem. Do tell...
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry can be considered as a branch of thermodynamics that deals with the connections between warmth, work, and various types of energy, formed because of different synthetic and actual cycles. Thermochemistry describes the energy changes that occur as a result of reactions or chemical changes in a substance.
Exergonic Reaction
The term exergonic is derived from the Greek word in which ‘ergon’ means work and exergonic means ‘work outside’. Exergonic reactions releases work energy. Exergonic reactions are different from exothermic reactions, the one that releases only heat energy during the course of the reaction. So, exothermic reaction is one type of exergonic reaction. Exergonic reaction releases work energy in different forms like heat, light or sound. For example, a glow stick releases light making that an exergonic reaction and not an exothermic reaction since no heat is released. Even endothermic reactions at very high temperature are exergonic.
A diamond is said to last forever. Many believe this eternal existence is related to its hardness and crystalline structure. But, in actuality, it is related to the chemical process and associated energy changes that keep a diamond in its endless form. Based upon a law of
A. There is a reason to explain why this spontaneous reaction (diamond ---> graphite + energy) never occurs. And this reason is related to the activation energy requirement needed for this reaction to move forward.
Can you explain why this spontaneous reaction-aka, exergonic reaction-never happens and the diamonds in our jewelry lasts forever?
C(diamond) ---> C(graphite) + energy, Delta G = -1.897 kJ/mole
B. This phenomenon makes diamonds valuable from both an economic and energy perspective. Are there other materials that have added value related to the energy processes associated with its chemical change? What is its value and why? This value can be related to economics or not, just as long as it is important to solving a critical problem. Do tell...
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