(a) Paraformaldehyde can be used to generate very pure formaldehyde for use in some biological labs....

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(a) Paraformaldehyde can be used to generate very pure formaldehyde for use in some biological labs. Heating paraformaldehyde gives formaldehyde gas in an equilibrium process. (i) Write a balanced chemical equation for the equilibrium between formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Instead of using the abbreviated form above, set n-4 and draw the whole molecule. 2 marks (n is usually much larger than 4, but nobody wants to draw the whole molecule with n>>100!) (ii) Why does this equilibrium favour paraformaldehyde at low temperatures formaldehyde at high temperatures? Hint: You may need to go back to concepts from CHEM 2000 and/or CHEM 2500... but favour 4 marks (a) Paraformaldehyde can be used to generate very pure formaldehyde for use in some biological labs. Heating paraformaldehyde gives formaldehyde gas in an equilibrium process. (i) Write a balanced chemical equation for the equilibrium between formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Instead of using the abbreviated form above, set n-4 and draw the whole molecule. 2 marks (n is usually much larger than 4, but nobody wants to draw the whole molecule with n>>100!) (ii) Why does this equilibrium favour paraformaldehyde at low temperatures formaldehyde at high temperatures? Hint: You may need to go back to concepts from CHEM 2000 and/or CHEM 2500... but favour 4 marks

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