Question
Question: Bond dissociation enthalpies of \({H_2}(g)\) and \({N_2}(g)\) are 436.0 \(kJmo{l^{ - 1}}\) and 941.8...
Bond dissociation enthalpies of H2(g) and N2(g) are 436.0 kJmol−1 and 941.8 kJmol−1 respectively and enthalpy of formation of NH3(g) is -46 kJmol−1. What is the enthalpy of atomization of NH3(g)?
A) 390.3 kJmol−1
B) 1170.9 kJmol−1
C) 590 kJmol−1
D) 720 kJmol−1
Solution
First you need to write the balanced chemical reaction of N2(g) reacting with H2(g) to give NH3(g). Then, you must know the relation of enthalpy of formation of any substance with the bond dissociation enthalpies of the reactants and products in the gas phase. Also, enthalpy of atomisation is the enthalpy change in which total separation of all atoms occurs.
Complete step by step solution:
We are given:
Bond dissociation enthalpy of H2(g)= ΔbondH(H2)= 436.0 kJmol−1
Bond dissociation enthalpy of N2(g)= ΔbondH(N2)= 941.8 kJmol−1
Enthalpy of formation of NH3(g)= -46 kJmol−1
To find: Enthalpy of atomisation of NH3(g)
Now, the balanced chemical reaction of nitrogen gas,N2 with hydrogen gas, H2 to give ammonia, NH3 is as shown below:
N2(g)+3H2(g)→2NH3(g)
We know that enthalpy of formation is always given for 1 mole of a substance. So, enthalpy of formation for the above reaction that is, for 2 molecules of ammonia is:
ΔfH(NH3)=2×(−46)kJmol−1
Now, enthalpy of formation of any substance is related to the bond dissociation enthalpies of the reactants and products in the gas phase as:
ΔH=∑bond enthalpys(Reactants)−∑Bond enthalpys(Products) ...................... Equation (1)
In our reaction, reactants are nitrogen and three moles of hydrogen gas and product is 2 molecules of ammonia gas. Now, structure of ammonia:
Let us consider the bond enthalpy of each N-H bond in ammonia be x kJmol−1. Thus, overall bond enthalpy of ammonia is 3x kJmol−1.
Substituting the given bond enthalpy values and considered bond enthalpy value of NH3(g) in equation (1) as:
ΔH=∑bond enthalpys(Reactants)−∑Bond enthalpys(Products)
ΔfH(NH3)=[ΔbondH(N2)+3×ΔbondH(H2)]−[2×ΔbondH(NH3)]
2×(−46)=[941.8+3×436.0]−[2×3x]
⇒x=390.3 kJmol−1
Now, enthalpy of atomisation is the enthalpy change in which total separation of all atoms occurs. We know from the structure of ammonia that 1 molecule of ammonia contains three nitrogen-hydrogen bonds.
Thus, enthalpy of atomisation of NH3(g), ΔaH(NH3):
ΔaH(NH3) = 3×bond enthalpy of each N - H bond
ΔaH(NH3)=3×x
ΔaH(NH3)=3×390.3
ΔaH(NH3)=1170.9 kJmol−1.
Thus, option B is the correct answer.
Note: Enthalpy of atomisation is generally defined as the enthalpy change on breaking one mole of bonds completely to obtain atoms in the gas phase whereas the bond dissociation enthalpy is the enthalpy change when one mole of covalent compounds is broken to form products in the gas phase.