7. Ethene reacts with hydrogen bromide at 298K and 100 kPa pressure to produce bromoethane. All three compounds are gases under these conditions.
The enthalpy change of this reaction, ΔHr, can be estimated from the enthalpies of formation (Method 1) or average bond enthalpies (Method 2) of the reactants and products. The enthalpy cycles used in these calculations are shown.
Which method gives the least accurate estimate of ΔHr?
C
Explanation:
The reaction is taking place under standard conditions, so it is fair to use standard enthalpies of formation to calculate ΔHr. Even if the reaction takes place under non-standard conditions, the error is typically small unless a phase transition such as boiling or melting has taken place. In their standard states, carbon is a solid and bromine is a liquid, but it is not necessary for the elements to be gases as the enthalpy of vaporisation is accounted for in the measurement of ΔHfθ.
Bond energy calculations do not account for the enthalpy changes of boiling, melting and sublimation, but the reactants and products in this reaction are gases so such errors are not relevant. The bond energies may, however, differ from the average values; for example, the C-H bond energies in the product may be affected by the neighbouring C-Br bond.
This question is only moderately difficult as the errors and assumptions of the two calculation methods are clearly stated in the syllabus.