A species D is diffusing through a confined volume (see Figure) of a reacting ga

Question

A species D is diffusing through a confined volume (see Figure) of a reacting gasphase mixture. In the mixture, A reacts irreversibly to form B and C. Relative to D, thesizes and interactions with A, B, and C are equivalent. You observe that the flux of Dthrough the mixture increases as the reaction proceeds if the cylinder is insulated(adiabatic, no heat transfer) but decreases if the cylinder is allowed to exchange heat withthe surroundings. Explain this observation.

Reacting gas mixture A B+C Pn-constant, low value PD constant, high value A, B, and C can not penetrate boundaries. DA DDB, DC all equivalent

Explanation / Answer

As the interaction of D is equivalent with A,B and C, it seems as the reaction will proceed towards right increasing the amount of gaseous components, the diffusion of D should become more difficult and flux should be reduced.

The reaction seems to be endothermic as that's why, when the cylinder is not allowed to take up any heat, it is driven further towards slowly towards right and B/C increase in concentration very slowly and increase the flux of D. If the cylinder is allowed to take heat from the surroundings, the rate of formation of B and C increases lowering flux of D.

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