Answers to Questions: Coupled Reactions 1. Why does it take a longer time to light the Mg ribbons?

Firstly, the Mg ribbons are exposed to a cold environment, that is, the dry ice, and thus increasing the heat required to burn the Mg ribbons. Metals such as magnesium need very high temperatures to start ignition. Also, the relative stability of carbon dioxide would hinder the proceeding of the burning of magnesium. Finally, carbon dioxide is more abundant in the chamber compared to oxygen. Since magnesium needs oxygen to burn, adding the factors stated above, it would take the magnesium ribbon to collect the oxygen it needs to react.

2.

Why is it important to immediately cover the Mg ribbon with the other slab of dry ice once it starts burning? We are interested in the driving of the reaction 2 CO2(g) 2 C(s) + O2(g) to a forward reaction. It is already acknowledged that magnesium burning in air is a spontaneous process. If the Mg ribbon is not immediately covered by the dry ice, then it will continue to burn on the oxygen-rich air. Thus, covering the burning Mg ribbon with the other dry ice immediately will enable us to see the effect of the coupling of a spontaneous reaction with a nonspontaneous reaction.

3.

Using theoretical G values for the reactants and products in the system, calculate the G system. Explain your observations. Reaction: 2Mg(s) + CO2(g) 2MgO(s) + C(s) G rxn = np Gf p nr Gf r = [1(0) + 2(-569.6 kJ/mol)]-[2(0) + 1(-394.4 kJ/mol)] = -744.8 kJ/mol

rxn

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The negative G rxn indicates that the reaction is spontaneous, thus implying that products must be seen by the end of the reaction. In the video, magnesium burned brightly inside the dry ice chamber. After a while, when the other slab is removed, the chamber reveals the product of the reaction: solid MgO and solid C. Thus, the reaction is indeed spontaneous. 4. Give two other reactions that can be coupled with Mg. Show pertinent equations and G Spontaneous: Mg(s) + O2(g) MgO(s) G = -569.6 kJ/mol Nonspontaneous (1): CO(g) C(s) + O2(g) G = 137.2 kJ/mol Coupled Reaction: Mg(s) + CO(g) MgO(s) + C(s) G rxn= [1(-569.6 kJ/mol) + 1(0)]-[1(0) + 1(-137.2)] = -432.4 kJ/mol
rxn.

Spontaneous: Mg(s) + O2(g) MgO(s) G = -569.6 kJ/mol Nonspontaneous (2): FeO(s) Fe(s) + O2(g) G = 255.2 kJ/mol Coupled Reaction: Mg(s) + FeO(s) MgO(s) + Fe(s) G rxn= [1(-569.6 kJ/mol) + 1(0)]-[1(0) + 1(-255.2)] = -314.4 kJ/mol 5. Some of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in the body can be interpreted as a coupled reaction. An example of which is the hexokinase-catalyzed reaction in glycolysis wherein ATP is spent in order to enable glucose (sugar) molecules to enter the cell: ATP + H2O ADP + Pi Go = -31 kJ/mol o Pi + glucose glucose-6-P + H2O G =+14 kJ/mol From the two equations above, derive the net reaction happening in the cell and label which reactions are endergonic and exergonic. Calculate Go of the net reaction. ATP + H2O ADP + Pi o G = -31 kJ/mol [exergonic] + Pi + glucose glucose-6-P + H2O G = +14 kJ/mol [endergonic] ATP + glucose ADP + glucose-6-P G rxn =-17 kJ/mol