Chapter 11.5, Problem 11.4CC

A common misconception is that the following chemical reaction occurs when water is boiled:

$2{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(l)\to 2{\text{H}}_2(g)+{\text{O}}_2(g)$

instead of

${\text{H}}_2\text{O}(l)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}(g)$

1. a What evidence do you have that the second reaction is correct?
2. b How would the enthalpy of the wrong reaction compare with that of the correct reaction?
3. c How could you calculate the enthalpy change for the wrong reaction (Chapter 6)?