Periodic Table and PeriodicityhardNUMERICAL

The first electron gain enthalpy () of an Oxygen atom is and its second electron gain enthalpy () isPeriodic Table and Periodicity Chemistry Question

Question

The first electron gain enthalpy ($\Delta_{eg}H_1$) of an Oxygen atom is $-141 \text{ kJ/mol}$ and its second electron gain enthalpy ($\Delta_{eg}H_2$) is $+744 \text{ kJ/mol}$. What is the net overall enthalpy change (in $\text{kJ/mol}$) for the full double-reduction process $O_{(g)} + 2e^- \rightarrow O^{2-}_{(g)}$?

Answer: 603

💡 Solution & Explanation

By Hess's Law, the total enthalpy change for a multi-step process is the algebraic sum of the individual step enthalpies. Thus, the net enthalpy change for the addition of two electrons is $\Delta H_{\text{net}} = \Delta_{eg}H_1 + \Delta_{eg}H_2 = -141 + 744 = +603 \text{ kJ/mol}$.

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