Chapter 16, Problem 52E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The reaction of production of hydrogen cyanide is given. If high temperature is required for thermodynamic or kinetic reasons is to be explained.

Concept introduction: The expression for free energy change is,

$\Delta G=\Delta H-T\Delta S$

A reaction is said to be spontaneous if the value of $\Delta G$ is negative.

The sign of entropy depends on the number of moles. If number of moles decreases, then sign of the entropy will be negative whereas, if the number of moles increases, the sign of entropy will be positive.