The bonds of oxygen molecules are broken by sunlight. The minimum energy required to break the oxygen-oxygen bond is 495 kJ/mol. What is the wavelength of sunlight that can cause this bond breakage
A) 212 nm
B) 222 nm
C) 221 nm
D) 242 nm
E) None of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use the equation E = hc/λ where E is the energy (in Joules), h is Planck's constant (6.626 x 10^-34 J·s), c is the speed of light (2.998 x 10^8 m/s), and λ is the wavelength of the light (in meters).

First, we need to convert the energy required to break the oxygen-oxygen bond from kJ/mol to J/molecule:
495 kJ/mol x (1000 J/kJ) / (6.02 x 10^23 molecules/mol) = 8.22 x 10^-19 J/molecule

Next, we can solve for λ:
E = hc/λ
λ = hc/E
λ = (6.626 x 10^-34 J·s) x (2.998 x 10^8 m/s) / (8.22 x 10^-19 J/molecule)
λ = 242 nm

Therefore, the wavelength of sunlight that can cause the bond breakage is 242 nm, which corresponds to answer choice D.

The Bonds of Oxygen Molecules Are Broken by Sunlight