Question

Calculate work done in oxidation of 4 moles of SO₂ at 25°C. (Given: R = 8.314 JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹ ).

Answer 1

\[\ce{2SO_{2(g)} + O_{2(g)} -> 2SO_{3(g)}}\]  (Oxidation)

\[\ce{4SO_{2(g)} + 2O_{2(g)}-> 4SO_{3(g)}}\]

Δ n_g = 4 − 6 = − 2

Now,

W = − Δ n_gRT    [T = 25 + 273 = 298K]

∴ W = − (− 2) × 8.314 JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹ × 298 K

= 4955 J

= 4.955 kJ