Question

What is the difference in molar Gibbs energy, due to pressure, when a system moves from the ocean surface to the bottom of the Mindanao Trench (depth = 11.5 km)?

a) 0 kJ/mol
b) Positive value
c) Negative value
d) Not enough information

Answer 1

The difference in molar Gibbs energy due to pressure when moving from the ocean surface to the bottom of the Mindanao Trench would be a b. positive value because the increase in depth results in an increase in pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is about the difference in molar Gibbs energy due to pressure when moving from the ocean surface to the bottom of the Mindanao Trench. Since the molar Gibbs energy of a substance can be affected by pressure, and the Mindanao Trench (or Marianas Trench) has a significant depth of approximately 11.5 km, it implies a substantial increase in pressure due to the weight of the overlying water column.

The change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) with pressure at constant temperature can be calculated using the equation ΔG = VΔP, where V is molar volume and ΔP is the change in pressure. Since pressure increases with depth in the ocean, the molar Gibbs energy would increase, indicating a positive value for the molar Gibbs energy change.

However, to calculate the exact value of this increase, you need the molar volume of the substance in question and the exact change in pressure; otherwise, the answer is qualitative rather than quantitative.