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Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics PowerPoint Information
26
Biology
12th Grade
11/04/2012

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Term
What is energy?
Definition
Energy is the ability or capacity to do work. Ex: Moving molecules across a concentration gradient Ex: Synthesize/decompose molecules through dehydration/hydrolysis. Need energy to do anything.
Term
What are the types of energy and where are they found?
Definition
There is Kinetic energy (motion) and there is potential energy (stored). There is also thermal, mechanical and chemical energy. Chemical energy is found locked in bonds like NaCl. Ex: Stand up on a chair, while standing potential (stored) energy gathers so when you go down, it converts to kinetic energy (motion) to be used.
Term
What is the unit of measurement for energy?
Definition
Energy is measured in Joules and in calories. Usually kJ are used because 1 Joule = 0.239 calorie so kJ are closer to the calorie amount of energy.
Term
What is the 1st law of thermodynamics?
Definition
The first law of thermodynamics is that energy in a closed system is ALWAYS conserved. Energy cannot be destroyed nor created, it can convert into different forms.
Term
Use an example to explain the first law and give the equation.
Definition
The example for the first law is that a leaf accepts energy from the sun. The sun's light energy enters the leaf to create a glucose molecule. However, not all the energy is used so it turns into thermal energy and leaves. So, energy stored (glucose) = Energy in (sunlight energy) - Energy out (thermal)
Term
What is enthalpy and what types of reactions does it entail?
Definition
Enthalpy is abbreviated with the letter H. It is the amount of heat absorbed or released in a chemical reaction under a constant pressure. The types of reactions that occur are exothermic (release of heat) and endothermic (absoprtion of heat).
Term
Explain how cellular respiration works in relation to enthalpy.
Definition
Cellular respiration is an exothermic reaction. Its reactants (C6H12O6 + 6O2) turn into the products: 6CO2 + 6 H2O. After the activation energy and the transition state are surpassed, the potential energy decreases. So, the change in enthalpy is negative (-2870 kJ/mol) so the reaction is exothermic: heat was released.
Term
Explain how photosynthesis works in relation to enthalpy.
Definition
Photosynthesis has the reactants: 6CO2 + 6H2O and the products C6H12O6 + 6O2. After the transition state and the activation energy is surpassed, the potential energy increases. So, the change in enthalpy is positive (2870 kJ/mol) and the reaction is endothermic: heat was absorbed.
Term
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
Definition
The second law os thermodynamics is that Entropy (S) indicates that disorder or chaos is favoured in the universe. **In the universe, not a closed system like in the first law**
Term
What increases entropy?
Definition
Entropy is increased by making large molecules into many smaller ones, decreasing pressure so there's more room for chaos, increasing volume like the semi-permeable membrane lab, changing state (like adding heat to ice and water) and inceasing temperature.
Term
What does escaped energy have to do with entropy?
Definition
Any reaction that involves escaped energy (like the thermal energy in the leaf example), leaves to help the production of other molecules to increase entropy.
Term
Explain how photosynthesis does NOT goes against entropy.
Definition
Photosynthesis does go against entropy in some ways. Its reaction involves turning smaller molecules into bigger ones, which goes against the ideals of chaos and disorder because it creates more order by creating glucose. However, thermal energy is constantly released (like in the leaf example) which causes chaos to increase entropy.
Term
What is a favoured reaction and give some examples?
Definition
A favoured reaction is a spontaneous one. Spontaneous reactions continue on their own once they are started. Ex: Lighting a match: dragging = initial input but once it starts to burn, it goes on its own. Ex: Boiling water, it is not spontaneous because once you no longer apply heat to it, it stops boiling, so it is controlled.
Term
What is Gibbs Free Energy and what is the equation?
Definition
Gibbs Free Energy (G) tells you the amount of useful energy created by a reaction. The equation is G = H - (T)(S) which is Gibbs Free Energy = Enthalpy - (temperature)(Entropy). It takes into account the 2 laws and tells you if a reaction is favoured.
Term
If a reaction is favoured, what does that mean?
Definition
If a reaction is favoured, the change in Gibbs Free energy will be negative, meaning the reaction is spontaneous, exothermic (releases energy) and increases entropy.
Term
If a reaction is not favoured, what does that mean? 
Definition
If a reaction is not favoured, that means that the change in Gibbs Free energy is positive, meaning the reaction is not spontaneous, endothermic and decreases entropy.
Term
What is tricky about the temperature in the equation?
Definition
All other reaction combinations require analysis of the temperature (higher temperature can make the Gibbs Free energy negative, but at a lower temperature, it would make the Gibbs Free Energy positive). It changes how the reaction affects entropy.
Term
Use the hydrolysis of ATP to explain change in Gibbs Free Energy.
Definition
ATP breaks down to ADP after surpassing the transition state and the activation energy. The potential energy then decreases to make the products ADP + Pi. So, the Gibbs Free Energy is negative (-31 kJ/mol) so the reaction is favoured, and it is exergonic because the energy is to be used elsewhere.
Term
Use the dehydration of ADP to ATP to explain Gibbs Free Energy.
Definition
ADP + Pi dehydrate to form ATP. After surpassing the transition state and activation energy, the potential energy has increased. So, the Gibbs Free Energy is positive (31 kJ/mol) and the reaction is endergonic (requires energy). The reaction is not favoured, so it is not spontaneous and decreases entropy.
Term
What is the common myth associated with positive Gibbs Free Energy reactions that go against entropy?
Definition
The common myth is that because they go against entropy, they will not continue on their own but it just needs constant energy so it will happen even though it is not favoured.
Term
What is the difference between change in Enthalpy and change in Gibbs Free Energy?
Definition
Enthalpy is heat and Gibbs Free energy is useful energy. The Gibbs Free will always be a little less than what the enthalpy is.
Term
What are redox reactions?
Definition
Redox reactions are reductions (gain of electrons, H or loss of oxygen) and oxidations (loss of electrons, H or gain of oxygen).
Term
What is the anagram for redox reactions?
Definition
LEO says GER. LEO = loss of electrons, oxidation GER = gain of electrons, reduction
Term
Explain the reaction CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O using redox reactions.
Definition
CH4 is being oxidized because it is losing electrons and gaining oxygen, turning into CO2. 2O2 is being reduced, gaining electrons and H, turning into 2H2O. In this case, because CH4 is being oxidized, it is the reducing agent. 2O2 is being reduced so it is the oxidizing agent.
Term
Explain oxidizing and reducing agents.
Definition
Oxidizing agents accept e-/H, so they get reduced. Reducing agents donate e-/H, so they get oxidized. **It is always the opposite**
Term
Explain coupled reactions.
Definition

reducing agent:                  

donates e-, gets oxidized     

Na            Cl

>         <

Na+           Cl-

oxidized: loss of e-  reduced: gain of e-  

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