Each pre-class Podia question is based on the pre-class material and working through the pre-class material will help you formulate your response. Consider the problem and write down/draw out your solution in your class notebook. These questions are designed to hone your skills so that you can analyze and solve mastery problems you will encounter throughout the course.
Two days before the next whole-class session, the pre-class Podia question will become visible in Podia, where you can click on the prompt and submit your answer.
Submissions for pre-class Podia activities are due 1 hour before the start of your whole-class. Be sure to submit your response before the due time.
Day 22 Pre-Class Podia Activity
One central question in the theories about the origin of life is how complex organic compounds were synthesized from simpler molecules such as H2, N2, and CH4. Consider these two potential paths in the synthesis of the amino acid, glycine (C2H5NO2):
- 2 CO(g) + NH3(g) + H2(g) ⇌ C2H5NO2(s)
- 2 CH4(g) + NH3(g) + 2 H2O(ℓ) ⇌ C2H5NO2(s) + 5 H2(g)
Using the data below:
- Calculate ΔrH°, ΔrS°, and ΔrG° for each reaction.
- Determine which reaction will reach a more product-favored equilibrium at 25 °C. Connect your claim and evidence using reasoning about the energetic and entropic favorability of each reaction.
| substance | ΔfH° (kJ mol–1) | S° (J K−1 mol−1) | ΔfG° (kJ mol–1) |
| H2(g) | 0 | 130.7 | 0 |
| CH4(g) | –74.6 | 186.3 | –50.5 |
| CO(g) | –110.5 | 197.7 | –137.2 |
| NH3(g) | –45.9 | 192.8 | –16.4 |
| H2O(ℓ) | –285.8 | 70.0 | –237.1 |
| C2H5NO2(s) | –528.4 | 103.5 | –368.8 |
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