Chapter 16.9, Problem 16.12P

(a)    Using values of $\Delta G{°}_{\text{f}}$ in Appendix B, calculate the standard free-energy change for the reaction of calcium carbide (CaC₂) with water. Might this reaction be used for synthesis of acetylene $\left(\text{HC}\equiv {\text{CH, or C}}_2\text{H}\right)$?

${\text{CaC}}_2\left(s\right)+2{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(l\right)\to {\text{C}}_{\text{2}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)+\text{Ca}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_2\left(s\right)$

(b)    Is it possible to synthesize acetylene from solid graphite and gaseous H₂ at 25 °C and 1 atm pressure?