Calcium oxide, CaO, is manufactured by decomposition of calcium carbonate, CaCO3
ID: 726590 • Letter: C
Question
Calcium oxide, CaO, is manufactured by decomposition of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, in a furnace: CaCO3(s) rightarrow CaO(s) + C02(g) The heat produced by a furnace maintained at a temperature of 500 K can decompose calcium carbonate to calcium oxide. The spontaneity of a reaction can be determined from the free energy change for the reaction, Delta G degree. A reaction is spontaneous when the free energy change is less than zero. A reaction is nonspontaneous when the free energy change is greater than zero. A reaction is in equilibrium when the free energy change is equal to zero. For the decomposition of calcium carbonate, consider the following thermodynamic data: Delta H degree rxn 178. 5 kJ/mol Delta S degree rxm 161. 0 J/(mol K) Calculate the temperature in kelvins above which this reaction is spontaneous. Express your answer to five significant figures and include the appropriate units.Explanation / Answer
T = (H/S) = (178.5*1000)/161 = 1108.696 K = 1108.7 K (5 significant figures)