Which symbol can be used to indicate the pressure at which a chemical reaction is carried out?


A$\xrightarrow{25^{\circ} C }$
B$\xrightarrow{\Delta}$
C$\xrightarrow{2\text{ atm}}$
D$\xrightarrow{ Pt }$

Verified Answer :

  • The notation \(\xrightarrow{25^{\circ} C }\) denotes a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
  • The notation \(\xrightarrow{\Delta}\) denotes the application of heat.
  • The notation \(\xrightarrow{2 \text{ atm}}\) denotes a pressure of 2 atmospheres, which is a unit of pressure.
  • The notation \(\xrightarrow{ Pt }\) indicates the use of a platinum catalyst.
  • The correct symbol indicating pressure is \(\boxed{\xrightarrow{2 \text{ atm}}}\).

Explanation

  1. Understanding Chemical Reaction Notation

In chemical reaction equations, the arrow separating reactants and products is often used to specify the conditions under which the reaction occurs. Conditions such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of catalysts are written above or below this arrow to provide clarity. Understanding these symbols is essential for interpreting experimental setups in chemistry.

  1. Analyzing the Given Options

We examine each of the provided options to determine what condition it represents:

  1. \(\xrightarrow{25^{\circ} C }\): The symbol \(^{\circ}C\) stands for degrees Celsius, which is a unit of temperature. Thus, this indicates the reaction is performed at 25 degrees Celsius.
  2. \(\xrightarrow{\Delta}\): The Greek letter delta (\(\Delta\)) is the standard notation in chemistry for heat energy being applied to a system.
  3. \(\xrightarrow{2 \text{ atm}}\): The symbol 'atm' stands for atmospheres, which is a unit of pressure. Therefore, this indicates that the reaction is conducted at a pressure of 2 atmospheres.
  4. \(\xrightarrow{ Pt }\): 'Pt' is the chemical symbol for platinum. Platinum is a common transition metal used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions, so this indicates the presence of a catalyst.
  1. Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the unit 'atm' is the standard measure for atmospheric pressure. Comparing this to the options, the symbol \(\xrightarrow{2 \text{ atm}}\) is the only one that represents a pressure condition for a reaction. Therefore, it is the correct answer.

Examples

In industrial chemical processes, such as the Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing ammonia, maintaining precise control over conditions is crucial. Chemists write these requirements, such as high temperatures and high pressures, above the reaction arrow to guide chemical engineers. For example, writing \(\xrightarrow{200 \text{ atm}}\) over an arrow clearly informs the operator that the reaction must be sustained at this specific pressure to maximize the production yield. Understanding these notations allows scientists to communicate complex experimental requirements efficiently and accurately.