1. Explain in terms of rate laws and/or reaction quotients why the product’s
low solubility favors the forward reaction over the reverse. The forward rate law
is rate = k[maleic acid]n and the reverse rate law is: rate = k[fumaric acid]n.
Consider how the rate laws are affected by the respective solubilities.
2. Decolorizing carbon, a solid which was used in the recrystallization experiment, works by bonding with polar compounds. Predict the consequences if it is used to purify the crystallized fumaric acid product (polar).
I need help with these two question, thank you.
1. To explain why the low solubility of a product favors the forward reaction over the reverse, we need to consider the rate laws and reaction quotients of the forward and reverse reactions.
In this case, the forward rate law is given as rate = k[maleic acid]^n, where [maleic acid] represents the concentration of maleic acid and n represents the reaction order with respect to maleic acid. Similarly, the reverse rate law is given as rate = k[fumaric acid]^n, where [fumaric acid] represents the concentration of fumaric acid and n represents the reaction order with respect to fumaric acid.
When a product has low solubility, it means that the concentration of the product in the solution is relatively low. On the other hand, if the reactants have higher solubilities, their concentrations in the solution will be higher.
For the forward reaction to occur, maleic acid is consumed and converted into the product. If the concentration of maleic acid is high (due to its solubility), the forward reaction will have a higher rate.
On the other hand, for the reverse reaction to occur, fumaric acid is consumed and converted back into maleic acid. If the concentration of fumaric acid is low (due to its low solubility), the reverse reaction will have a slower rate.
Therefore, since the forward rate is higher than the reverse rate, the forward reaction is favored when the product has low solubility.
2. Decolorizing carbon is known for its ability to bond with polar compounds. If it is used to purify the crystallized fumaric acid product, which is polar, several consequences can be predicted.
Decolorizing carbon, or activated charcoal, works by adsorbing (bonding with) polar compounds on its surface. When added to a solution containing polar compounds, it can remove these compounds by physically binding to them.
If decolorizing carbon is used to purify the crystallized fumaric acid product, it is likely to adsorb impurities present in the product. This can lead to the removal of colorants, odor-causing substances, or other contaminants that are polar and can bond with the activated charcoal.
The consequence of this purification process is that the crystallized fumaric acid product will become cleaner, purer, and more free from impurities. Its color and smell may improve, making it more suitable for further use or analysis.
However, it is important to note that decolorizing carbon may also adsorb some of the target compound itself (fumaric acid), albeit to a lesser extent than the impurities. This means that there may be a slight loss of fumaric acid during the purification process.
In summary, using decolorizing carbon to purify the polar crystallized fumaric acid product can have the consequence of removing impurities, improving color and smell, but may also result in a small loss of the target compound.