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What is an exothermic reaction? Name the instrument used to accurately measure the calorific values of different foods - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question b - 2015

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What is an exothermic reaction? Name the instrument used to accurately measure the calorific values of different foods. Define heat of combustion of a substance. Tw... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:What is an exothermic reaction? Name the instrument used to accurately measure the calorific values of different foods - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question b - 2015

Step 1

What is an exothermic reaction?

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Answer

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases heat energy to the surroundings. This process results in a temperature increase of the surrounding environment.

Step 2

Name the instrument used to accurately measure the calorific values of different foods.

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Answer

The instrument used to accurately measure the calorific values of different foods is called a calorimeter.

Step 3

Define heat of combustion of a substance.

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Answer

The heat of combustion of a substance is the amount of heat energy released when one mole of that substance is completely burned or oxidized in excess oxygen.

Step 4

Calculate the heat of combustion of hexane.

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Answer

The heat of combustion per mole of hexane can be calculated from the overall reaction:

Given that for 2 moles of hexane the heat released is -8326 kJ, therefore for 1 mole:

rac{-8326 ext{ kJ}}{2} = -4163 ext{ kJ mol}^{-1}

Step 5

Is this reaction exothermic? Give a reason for your answer.

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Answer

Yes, this reaction is exothermic. The value of ΔH is negative, indicating that heat is released. All combustion reactions are exothermic, and specifically, hexane is a fuel that releases energy upon combustion.

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