Question

63. Ethylene, C2H4, used to make polyethylene plastics, can be made from ethane, C2H6, one of the components of natural gas. The heat of reaction for the decomposition of ethane gas into ethylene gas and hydrogen gas is 136.94 kJ per mole of C2H4 formed, so it is endothermic. The reaction is run at high temperature, in part because at 800-900 °C, the equilibrium constant for the reaction is much higher, indicating that a higher percentage of products forms at this temperature. Explain why increased temperature drives this reversible chemical reaction in the endergonic direction and why this leads to an increase in the equilibrium constant for the reaction. C2H6(g) # C2H4(g) + H2(g)

Answer 1