Chapter 9, Problem 9.46P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The molecule among ethanol or methanol with the greater enthalpy of reaction per mole for combustion is to be identified.

Concept introduction:

The heat of the reaction $\left(\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}\right)$ is defined as the heat released or absorbed during a chemical reaction as a result of the difference in the bond energies(BE) of reactant and product in the reaction. $\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}$ is negative for exothermic reaction and $\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}$ is positive for an endothermic reaction.

The formula to calculate $\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}$ of reaction is as follows:

$\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}=\sum \Delta H_{\text{reactant bond broken}}^{°}+\sum \Delta H_{\text{product bond formed}}^{°}$

Or,

$\Delta H_{\text{rxn}}^{°}=\sum {\text{BE}}_{\text{reactant bond broken}}-\sum {\text{BE}}_{\text{product bond formed}}$

A combustion reaction is a reaction in which reactant is reacted with molecular oxygen to form the product. Heat is released and the energy is produced in the reaction. Molecular oxygen is employed as an oxidizing agent in these reactions.