Determine ΔH for the reaction CaCO3 → CaO + CO2 given these data: 2 Ca + 2 C + 3 O2 → 2 CaCO3 ΔH = −2,414 kJ C + O2 → CO2 ΔH = −393.5 kJ 2 Ca + O2 → 2 CaO ΔH = −1,270 kJ Write your answer using 4 significant figures, do not include units.

The ΔH for the reaction is -456.5 KJ

Explanation:

Here we want to determine ΔH for the reaction;

Mathematically;

ΔH = ΔH(product) - ΔH(reactant)

In the case of the first reaction;

ΔH = ΔH(CaO) + ΔH(CO2) - ΔH(CaCO3)  (*)

From the other reactions, we can get the respective ΔH for the individual molecule in the reaction

In second reaction;

Kindly note that for elements, molecule of gases, ΔH = 0

What this means is that throughout the solution;

ΔH(Ca)  = 0 KJ

ΔH(O2) = 0 KJ

ΔH(C) = 0 KJ

Thus, in writing the equation for the subsequent chemical reactions, we shall need to write and equate the overall ΔH for the reaction to that of the product alone

So in the second reaction

ΔH = 2ΔH(CaCO3)

Thus;

-2414/2 = ΔH(CaCO3)

ΔH(CaCO3) = -1,207  KJ

Moving to the third reaction, we have;

ΔH = ΔH(CO2)

Hence ΔH(CO2) = -393.5 KJ

For the last reaction;

ΔH = ΔH(CaO)

Hence ΔH(CaO) = -1270 KJ

Going back to equation *

ΔH = ΔH(CaO) + ΔH(CO2) - ΔH(CaCO3)

Using the values of the ΔH  of the respective molecules given above,

ΔH  = -1270 + (-393.5) - (-1207)

ΔH  = -456.5 KJ

the answer is option a.