JEE Main · 2019 · Shift-IImediumTHERMO-081

For the equilibrium 2H2O H3O+ + OH-; the value of G at 298 K is approximately:

Thermodynamics · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

For the equilibrium 2H2OH3O++OH2\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ + \text{OH}^-; the value of ΔG\Delta G^\circ at 298 K is approximately:

Options
  1. a

    100kJ mol1100\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

  2. b

    80kJ mol1-80\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

  3. c

    80kJ mol180\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

  4. d

    100kJ mol1-100\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

Correct Answerc

80kJ mol180\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

Detailed Solution

🧠 Autoionization of water: Kw=1014K_w = 10^{-14} at 298 K, giving a large positive ΔG\Delta G^\circ \ceH2OH++OH\ce{H2O \rightleftharpoons H+ + OH-}: equilibrium constant = Kw=1014K_w = 10^{-14} (a very unfavourable equilibrium).

🗺️ Calculation ΔG=RTlnKw=2.303RTlogKw\Delta G^\circ = -RT\ln K_w = -2.303RT\log K_w =2.303×8.314×298×log(1014)= -2.303 \times 8.314 \times 298 \times \log(10^{-14}) =2.303×8.314×298×(14)= -2.303 \times 8.314 \times 298 \times (-14) =5706×14=79,884 J80 kJ mol1= 5706 \times 14 = 79{,}884\text{ J} \approx 80\text{ kJ mol}^{-1}

Large positive ΔG\Delta G^\circ makes sense: water barely ionises, so the equilibrium lies far to the left.

⚠️ Trap: Kw=1014K_w = 10^{-14} is very small, so logKw=14\log K_w = -14 (negative). The double negative gives a positive ΔG\Delta G^\circ. Don't accidentally compute a negative answer.

Answer: (c)\boxed{\text{Answer: (c)}}

Practice this question with progress tracking

Want timed practice with adaptive difficulty? Solve this question (and hundreds more from Thermodynamics) inside The Crucible, our adaptive practice platform.

For the equilibrium 2H2O H3O+ + OH-; the value of G at 298 K is approximately: (JEE Main 2019) | Canvas Classes