For a specific gas-metal system, the enthalpy of chemisorption is measured to be , whereas its entha — Surface Chemistry Chemistry Question
Question
For a specific gas-metal system, the enthalpy of chemisorption is measured to be $-160\text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$, whereas its enthalpy of physisorption on the same metal surface at a lower temperature is $-20\text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$. How many times larger is the magnitude of the heat of chemisorption compared to the heat of physisorption?
Answer: 8
💡 Solution & Explanation
The magnitude of the heat of chemisorption is $ | -160 | \text{ kJ mol}^{-1} = 160\text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$. The magnitude of the heat of physisorption is $ | -20 | \text{ kJ mol}^{-1} = 20\text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$. The ratio is $\frac{160}{20} = 8$.
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