Question

Use the following information to answer the next question.
Sulfur trioxide can be prepared from sulfur and oxygen. The overall reaction is given below:
S8(s) + 12O2(g) ® 8SO3(g)
The above equation can be reached by two ways
(i) mc023-1.jpgS8 + mc023-2.jpgO2 (g) ® SO2(g) + mc023-3.jpgO2(g) DH = 296.8 kJ
(ii) SO2(g) + mc023-4.jpgO2(g) ® SO3 DH = –396 kJ

What is the conclusion drawn from the above reaction of sulfur and oxygen?
Question 23 options:

The formation of sulfur trioxide depends upon the path followed in its production.

The formation of sulfur trioxide does not depend upon the path followed in its production.

The formation of sulfur trioxide depends upon the temperature of the reactant.

The formation of sulfur trioxide depends upon the concentration of sulfur.

The formation of sulfur trioxide depends upon the nature of the reactant.

Answer 1

The formation of sulfur trioxide does not depend upon the path followed in its production.

Explanation: The total enthalpy change for the overall reaction equals the sum of the enthalpies of the two steps (Hess's law), so the heat change is independent of the pathway.