Which one of the following pairs is correct?
Compound with the lower chemical energy per mole
| | Compound with the lower activation energy of combustion per mole |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------|
| A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 27 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 27
Which one of the following pairs is correct?
Compound with the lower chemical energy per mole
| | Compound with the lower activation energy of combustion per m... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following pairs is correct?
Compound with the lower chemical energy per mole
| | Compound with the lower activation energy of combustion per mole |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------|
| A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 27 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the correct pair
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Answer
To determine which pair is correct, we need to evaluate the relationship between the chemical energy of the compounds and their activation energies for combustion. Ethanoic acid generally has a higher chemical energy compared to methyl methanoate. However, the combustion of ethanoic acid produces more energy than its counterpart due to the breakdown of its molecular structure.
After examining each option:
Option A: Ethanoic acid has higher energy than methyl methanoate.
Option B: This is not plausible as it pairs ethanoic acid with itself.
Option C: Both compounds are the same, hence incorrect.
Option D: Similar, with methyl methanoate on both sides.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B where ethanoic acid has the lower activation energy of combustion, equating it as the same compound with lower activation energy. This correctly matches both chemical and activation energy considerations.