JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3mt039
For 2Zn(s)+OX22ZnO(s): ΔH∘=−700kJ, ΔS∘=−200JK−1. For 2C(s)+OX22CO(g): ΔH∘=−220kJ, ΔS∘=+180JK−1. Assume both are independent of temperature and ignore the vaporisation of zinc. The lowest temperature at which carbon can reduce ZnO to zinc with CO as the product is about
A3500 K
B1222 K
C2421 K
D1263 K
Answer: D
The coupled reaction 2ZnO+2C2Zn+2CO is the CO line minus the ZnO line: ΔH∘=−220−(−700)=+480kJ and ΔS∘=180−(−200)=+380JK−1. It is feasible when ΔG∘=ΔH∘−TΔS∘<0, i.e. T>480000/380=1263.2K, so about 1263 K. The other values use only one of the lines or add the enthalpies wrongly.