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Chemistry Question 71 – JEE-MAIN 2026

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If 3.365g of ethanol (l) is burnt completely in a bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K, the heat produced is 99.472 kJ. The |ΔHf∘| of ethanol at 298.15 K is _______ ×102 kJ mol−1. (Nearest integer) Given: Standard enthalpy for combustion of graphite = −393.5 kJ mol−1 Standard enthalpy of formation of water (l) = −285.8 kJ mol−1 Molar mass in g mol−1 of C, H, O are 12, 1 and 16 respectively

First, determine the moles of ethanol combusted and the molar enthalpy of combustion.

● Video Walkthrough
Step 1: Calculate Molar Mass and Moles of Ethanol✦ Active

The molar mass of ethanol (C2H5OH) is calculated from the atomic masses of C (12), H (1), and O (16):

M=(2×12)+(6×1)+(1×16)=24+6+16=46 g/mol

Moles of ethanol burnt can then be determined from the given mass:

n=3.365 g46 g/mol=0.073152 mol
Step 2: Determine Molar Enthalpy of Combustion○ Expand

The heat produced is 99.472 kJ. Since heat is produced (exothermic reaction), the enthalpy change for combustion is negative. The molar enthalpy of combustion (ΔHc∘) is:

ΔHc∘=−99.472 kJ0.073152 mol=−1359.89 kJ/mol
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that heat produced implies a negative enthalpy change for the system.

Step 3: Apply Hess's Law to find Enthalpy of Formation○ Expand

The balanced combustion reaction for ethanol is:

C2H5OH(l)+3O2(g)→2CO2(g)+3H2O(l)

Using Hess's Law, the enthalpy of combustion is related to the standard enthalpies of formation of products and reactants:

ΔHc∘=[2ΔHf∘(CO2)+3ΔHf∘(H2O)]−[ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)+3ΔHf∘(O2)]

Given ΔHf∘(CO2)=−393.5 kJ/mol (standard enthalpy of combustion of graphite) and ΔHf∘(H2O)=−285.8 kJ/mol. The standard enthalpy of formation of O2(g) is 0 kJ/mol. Substituting the values:

−1359.89=[2(−393.5)+3(−285.8)]−[ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)+3(0)]
−1359.89=[−787.0−857.4]−ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)
−1359.89=−1644.4−ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)
ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)=−1644.4+1359.89=−284.51 kJ/mol

The absolute value is |ΔHf∘(C2H5OH)|=284.51 kJ/mol. To express this in the format ×102 kJ mol−1:

284.51=X×102⟹X=284.51100=2.8451

Rounding to the nearest integer, X=3.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Ensure correct signs for enthalpy changes and remember that elements in their standard states have zero enthalpy of formation.

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