Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introductory Chemistry for Today 8th Edition Seager Solutions Manual instant download all chapter
Introductory Chemistry for Today 8th Edition Seager Solutions Manual instant download all chapter
https://testbankdeal.com/product/introductory-chemistry-for-
today-8th-edition-seager-test-bank/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-8th-edition-seager-solutions-manual/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-hybrid-edition-8th-edition-seager-
solutions-manual/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-8th-edition-seager-test-bank/
Organic and Biochemistry for Today 8th Edition Seager
Solutions Manual
https://testbankdeal.com/product/organic-and-biochemistry-for-
today-8th-edition-seager-solutions-manual/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-9th-edition-seager-solutions-manual/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-hybrid-edition-8th-edition-seager-test-
bank/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/chemistry-for-today-general-
organic-and-biochemistry-9th-edition-seager-test-bank/
https://testbankdeal.com/product/organic-and-biochemistry-for-
today-8th-edition-seager-test-bank/
Chapter 8: Reaction Rates and Equilibrium
CHAPTER OUTLINE
8.1 Spontaneous and 8.4 Energy Diagrams 8.7 The Position of Equilibrium
Nonspontaneous Processes 8.5 Factors that Influence Reaction 8.8 Factors That Influence
8.2 Reaction Rates Rates Equilibrium Position
8.3 Molecular Collisions 8.6 Chemical Equilibrium
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/ASSESSMENT
When you have completed your study of this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Use the concepts of energy and entropy to predict the spontaneity of processes and reactions.
(Section 8.1; Exercise 8.6)
2. Calculate reaction rates from experimental data. (Section 8.2; Exercise 8.14)
3. Use the concept of molecular collisions to explain reaction characteristics. (Section 8.3; Exercise 8.20)
4. Represent and interpret the energy relationships for reactions by using energy diagrams. (Section
8.4; Exercise 8.26)
5. Explain how factors such as reactant concentrations, temperature, and catalysts influence reaction
rates. (Section 8.5; Exercise 8.30)
6. Relate experimental observations to the establishment of equilibrium. (Section 8.6; Exercise 8.38)
7. Write equilibrium expressions based on reaction equations, and do calculations based on equilibrium
expressions. (Section 8.7; Exercises 8.40 and 8.46)
8. Use Le Châtelier’s principle to predict the influence of changes in concentration and reaction
temperature on the position of equilibrium for a reaction. (Section 8.8; Exercise 8.52)
8.2 a. The space shuttle leaves its nonspontaneous Rocket engines must continually
pad and goes into orbit. operate to push the shuttle into an
orbit.
b. The fuel in a booster rocket spontaneous Once the fuel is ignited, it will
of the space shuttle burns. continue to burn. No additional
energy has to be provided.
c. Water boils at 100°C and 1 nonspontaneous Heat must be continually supplied to
atm pressure. maintain boiling.
d. Water temperature increases nonspontaneous Increasing the temperature of water
to 100°C at 1 atm pressure. requires a continual supply of energy.
e. Your bedroom becomes nonspontaneous A room will not become orderly on its
orderly. own. Cleaning requires energy.
8.3 a. Any combustion process exergonic The reaction produces heat and is
spontaneous once begun.
b. Perspiration evaporating endergonic The process requires energy to change
from the skin a liquid to a gas. The energy is taken
from the skin as long as the body
temperature is higher than the
temperature of the surroundings,
which cools the skin as the process
occurs.
c. Melted lead solidifying exergonic The process releases energy as a
liquid changes to a solid.
d. An explosive detonating exergonic The reaction releases heat and the
reaction continues without additional
energy input once it has been
activated.
e. An automobile being endergonic The car receives energy from the
pushed up a slight hill person pushing and the process
(from point of view of the would not occur spontaneously
automobile) without continued energy input.
8.4 a. An automobile being pushed up a slight hill exergonic The person pushing the car
(from point of view of the one pushing) gives energy to the car.
b. Ice melting (from point of view of the ice) endergonic Melting ice requires energy.
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 177
c. Ice melting (from point of view of exergonic The surroundings release
surroundings of the ice) heat into the ice.
d. Steam condensing to liquid water (from exergonic Heat must be released from
point of view of the steam) the steam.
e. Steam condensing to liquid water (from endergonic Heat must be absorbed by
point of view of surroundings of the steam) the surroundings.
8.7 a. The highest entropy example from this set is steam because the molecules are the most
random in the gaseous phase of matter.
b. The highest entropy example from this set is fallen leaves blown about on the ground
because the leaves are the most disordered in this example.
c. The highest entropy example from this set is a wastebasket containing torn and crumpled
sheets of paper because the paper is the most disordered in this example.
d. From the sugar’s perspective: The highest entropy example from this set is a 0.10 M sugar
solution because the sugar molecules are most separated in this solution.
From the water’s perspective: The highest entropy example from this set is the 10.0 M
sugar solution because the water molecules are most separated in this solution.
e. The highest entropy example from this set is a banquet table immediately after dinner
because it is the most disordered example.
8.8 a. The highest entropy example from this set is the two opposing football teams when the
whistle is blown, ending the play. This is the highest entropy because the football players
from the two teams are most interspersed.
b. From the gold’s perspective, the highest entropy example is a 10% copper/gold alloy
because the gold atoms are more separated in this material.
From the copper’s perspective, the highest entropy example is a 2% copper/gold alloy
because the copper atoms are more separated in this material.
c. The purse on the ground with the contents scattered is the highest entropy example from
this set. This is the highest entropy example because the disorder is highest in this
example.
d. The coins in a piggy bank are the example from this set with the highest entropy. The
random arrangement of coins in the piggy bank represents greater disorder than the
other two examples.
178 Chapter 8
e. The dozen loose pearls in a box are the example from this set with the highest entropy.
The random order of the pearl represents greater disorder than the other two examples.
8.9 Substances that change spontaneously are less stable than those that do not. Gold, stainless
steel, and chromium do not rust or tarnish, like iron and silver, respectively, do; therefore,
gold, stainless steel, and chromium are more stable than iron or silver.
8.12 a. The melting of a block of ice The changing height of the block, the changing
mass of the block, or the increasing volume of
liquid formed could be measured.
b. The setting (hardening) of concrete The ability of an object to penetrate or mark the
surface of the concrete could be measured.
c. The burning of a candle The changing height of the candle or the
changing mass of the candle could be measured.
8.13 a. The diffusion of ink from a drop The changing diameter of the ink drop or the
placed in a pan of quiet, undisturbed changing color of the water could be measured.
water
b. The loss of water from a pan of The changing volume or depth of the water
boiling water could be measured.
c. The growth of a corn plant The changing height of the corn plant could be
measured.
;8.14 a. Pure A and B are mixed, and after 12.0 minutes the 0.396 M − 0.000 M M
= 0.0330
measured concentration of C is 0.396 mol/L. 12.0 min min
b. Pure A, B, and C are mixed together at equal 0.455 M − 0.300 M M
= 0.0194
concentrations of 0.300 M. After 8.00 minutes, the 8.00 min min
concentration of C is found to be 0.455 M.
8.16 ⎛ −2 ⎞
⎜ 2.97 × 10 mol ⎟ − 0.000 M
⎜ 250 mL 1 L ⎟
⎜
⎝ (
1000 mL
⎟
⎠ ) = 3.96 × 10 −3
M
30.0 min min
8.17 ⎛ −2 ⎞
⎜ 3.91 × 10 mol ⎟ − 0.000 M
⎜ 250 mL 1 L ⎟
⎜
⎝ (
1000 mL
⎟
⎠ ) = 1.04 × 10 −2
M
15.0 min min
8.18 ( 2.77 × 10 −2
atm ) ( 500 mL ) ( 1L
1000 mL ) = n ( 0.0821 L⋅atm
mol ⋅K ) ( ( 25.0 + 273 ) K )
n = 5.66 × 10 −4 moles
5.66×10 −4 moles
−0 M
500 mL ( 1L
) M
= 1.51 × 10 −6
1000 mL
8.21 For ionic reactions, the colliding reactants do not have to be oriented in a specific way in order
for the reaction to occur because the simple ions are charged and spherical.
8.22 As temperature increases, the molecules move faster. The faster the molecules move, the
more likely they are to collide.
As the temperature increases, the molecules gain energy. The more energy the molecules
have, the more they are likely to react once they collide.
180 Chapter 8
ENERGY DIAGRAMS (SECTION 8.4)
8.23 a. Exothermic (exergonic) reaction with b. Exothermic (exergonic) reaction without
activation energy activation energy
Both of these energy diagrams have the same average energy of the reactants, average
energy of products, and energy difference between reactants and products. The main
difference between these two energy diagrams is that the first diagram has an activation
energy and the second diagram does not.
Both of these energy diagrams have the same average energy of the reactants, average
energy of products, and energy difference between reactants and products. The main
difference between these two energy diagrams is that the first diagram has an activation
energy and the second diagram does not.
8.25
A catalyst lowers the activation energy for a reaction whether the reaction is exergonic or
endergonic, but it does not change the energy level of the reactants or the products.
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 181
;8.26
150°C
room temperature
Both of these energy diagrams have the same average energy of the reactants, average energy
of products, and energy difference between reactants and products (500 kJ/mol reactant). The
reaction that occurs at room temperature has a small activation energy (or possibly does not
require activation energy), but the reactants have sufficient energy to overcome the activation
energy barrier. The reaction that occurs at 150°C has a significant activation energy.
8.28 a. ‐ 2+
2 I (aq) + Pb (aq) → PbI2 (s)
Rapid; The reactants are ions and the product is insoluble in water.
b. ‐ ‐ 2‐
Br (aq) + I (aq) → BrI (aq)
Won’t react; These ions are stable and do not have affinity for each other.
c. NH3 (g) + HCl (g) → NH4Cl (s)
Rapid; The reactant molecules are in the gas phase and will collide frequently.
d. CaO (s) + CO2 (g) → CaCO3 (s)
The reaction rate depends on the surface area of the CaO. The larger the surface area of
the solid, the faster the reaction will occur.
8.29 a. Reactant particles must collide with one another in order for a reaction to occur. This is
the most important reaction mechanism assumption for explaining the influence of
concentration on reaction rates. The higher the concentration of reactants, the faster the
reaction rate because the reactant particles are colliding frequently. Conversely, the
lower the concentration of reactants, the slower the reaction rate because the reactant
particles are colliding less frequently.
b. Particles must collide with at least a certain minimum total amount of energy if the
collision is to result in a reaction. This is the most important reaction mechanism
182 Chapter 8
assumption for explaining the influence of catalysts on reaction rates. A catalyst lowers
the minimum total amount of energy required for a reaction to occur, thus a catalyst
increases reaction rates because the amount of energy required for a reaction to occur is
less than without the catalyst.
;8.30 To speed up a reaction, I might (1) heat the reactants in order to increase the energy of the
reactants and the frequency of collision, (2) stir the reactants in order to increase the frequency
of collision, (3) increase the surface area of the reactants to increase the number of collisions,
and (4) add a catalyst to lower the activation energy for the reaction. Only three of these steps
are needed for a complete answer.
8.31 A reaction is started by mixing reactants. As time passes, the rate decreases because the
concentration of reactants decreases and the number of reaction‐producing collisions also
decreases.
8.32 The reaction rate doubles for every 10°C increase in temperature. This reaction would only take
7.5 minutes at 40°C.
change in temperature = 40°C − 20°C = 20°C
The reaction rate doubles for every 10°C temperature increase.
⎛ 1 double of the reaction rate ⎞
20°C change in temperature ⎜ ⎟ = 2 doubles of the reaction rate
⎝ 10°C ⎠
or 1 quadruple of the reaction rate
The reaction rate will be 4 times faster; therefore, the time required will be one − quarter as long.
⎛1⎞
30 min ⎜ ⎟ = 7.5 min
⎝4⎠
8.33 The surface area of a solid reactant is more important than the amount of solid reactant
present in determining the rate of a reaction; the greater the surface area, the faster the
reaction will occur.
8.34 Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction. The
activation energy may be lowered because the catalyst provides a surface on which the
reaction can occur or may react to form an intermediate structure that yields products and
regenerates the catalyst when it breaks apart.
8.36 a. H2 I2 → 2 HI
colorless gas
+
violet gas ← colorless gas
The color of the gas mixture will stop changing once equilibrium is reached.
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 183
b. solid sugar + water →
← sugar solution
The amount of solid sugar will become constant once the mixture has reached
equilibrium.
c. N2 2 O2 → 2 NO2
colorless gas
+
colorless gas ← red‐brown gas
Both the color and the pressure of the gas mixture will stop changing once equilibrium is
reached.
The pressure of the gas mixture will stop changing once equilibrium is reached.
The gas pressure and the amount of colorless solid will stop changing once equilibrium is
reached.
c. checking checks to pay
paycheck → →
account bills
8.39 As colorless N2O4 decomposes into the red‐brown colored NO2, the concentration of N2O4 will
decrease as the concentration of NO2 increases. The red‐brown color within the container will
be constant once equilibrium is established.
K eq =
[ CO]2 [ O 2 ]
N 2 O 4 R 2 NO 2 [ NO2 ]
2
b.
K eq =
[ N2 O4 ]
2 C 2 H6 + 7 O 2 R 4 CO 2 + 6 H 2 O [ CO 2 ] [ H 2 O ]
4 6
c.
K eq =
[C2 H6 ] [O2 ]7
2
d. 2 NOCl R 2 NO + Cl 2 [ NO ]2 [Cl 2 ]
K =
[ NOCl ]2
eq
K eq = ⎣
⎡⎣H 2 ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ Br 2 ⎤⎦
2 H 2 S + 3 O 2 R 2 H 2 O + 2 SO 2 [H2 O] [SO2 ]
2 2
b.
K eq =
[H2 S ] [O2 ]
2 3
c. 3 NO 2 R N 2 O 5 + NO
K eq =
[ N2 O5 ][ NO]
[ NO2 ]
3
4 NH 3 + 3 O 2 R 2 N 2 + 6 H 2 O [ N2 ] [H2 O]
2 6
d.
K eq =
[ NH3 ] [O2 ]3
4
2 NO + 2 H 2 R N 2 + 2 H 2 O [ N 2 ][ H 2 O ]
2
e.
K eq =
[ NO]2 [ H2 ]
2
Fe 3 + + 6 CN − R Fe ( CN )6
3−
8.42 a. ⎡Fe ( CN )3 − ⎤
= ⎣
6 ⎦
K eq 6
⎡⎣Fe ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣CN − ⎤⎦
3+
Ag + + 2 NH 3 R Ag ( NH 3 )2
+
b. ⎡ Ag ( NH 3 )+ ⎤
= ⎣ +
2⎦
K eq
⎡⎣ Ag ⎤⎦ [ NH 3 ]
2
c. Au 3 + + 4 Cl − R AuCl 4− ⎡⎣ AuCl −4 ⎤⎦
K eq = 4
⎡⎣ Au 3 + ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣Cl − ⎤⎦
Ni 2 + + 6 NH 3 R Ni ( NH 3 )6
2+
8.43 a. ⎡ Ni ( NH 3 )2 + ⎤
= ⎣ 2+
6 ⎦
K eq
⎡⎣ Ni ⎤⎦ [ NH 3 ]
6
b. Sn 2 + + 2 Fe 3 + R Sn 4 + + 2 Fe 2 + ⎡ Sn 4 + ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣Fe 2 + ⎤⎦
2
K eq = ⎣ 2
⎡⎣Sn 2 + ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ Fe 3 + ⎤⎦
c. F2 + 2 Cl − R 2 F− + Cl 2 ⎡⎣F − ⎤⎦ [ Cl 2 ]
2
K eq =
[F2 ] ⎡⎣Cl− ⎤⎦
2
[CO2 ][H2 O] CH 4 + 2 O 2 R CO 2 + 2 H 2 O
2
8.44 a.
K=
[CH4 ][O2 ]
2
b.
K=
[CH4 ][H2 O] 3 H 2 + CO R CH 4 + H 2 O
[H2 ] [CO]
3
[ O2 ] 2 O3 R 3 O2
3
c.
K=
[O3 ]
2
d. [ NH3 ] [O2 ]7
4 4 NO 2 + 6 H 2 O R 4 NH 3 + 7 O 2
K=
[ NO2 ] [H2 O]
4 6
8.45 a.
K=
[PH3 ][F2 ]3 3 HF + PF3 R PH 3 + 3 F2
[HF]3 [ PF3 ]
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 185
b. [O2 ] [ NH3 ]
7 4 4 NO 2 + 6 H 2 O R 7 O 2 + 4 NH 3
K=
[ NO2 ] [H2 O]
4 6
[O ][ClO2 ] 2 Cl 2 O 5 R O 2 + 4 ClO 2
4
c.
K= 2
[Cl 2 O5 ]
2
[ N2 ][H2 O] 2 NO + 2 H 2 R N 2 + 2 H 2 O
2
d.
K=
[ NO]2 [ H2 ]
2
;8.46
K eq =
[ Br2 ][Cl2 ] = ⎡⎣0.26 M ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣0.26 M ⎤⎦ = 0.47
[ BrCl ]2 ⎡⎣ 0.38 M ⎤⎦
2
8.47 ⎯⎯
→ COCl2
CO + Cl2 ←⎯
⎯
Initial Equilibrium Change
CO 0.79 M 0.25 M 0.25 M ‐ 0.79 M = ‐0.54 M
Cl2 0.69 M 0.15 M 0.15 M ‐ 0.69 M = ‐0.54 M
COCl2 0 M 0.54 M +0.54 M*
For every molecule of CO and Cl2 that react, one molecule of COCl2 is produced; therefore,
the decrease in concentration of both the CO and Cl2 of 0.54 M corresponds to an increase in
concentration of 0.54 M for the COCl2.
K eq =
[COCl2 ] = ⎣⎡ 0.54 M ⎦⎤ = 14
[ CO][ Cl 2 ] ⎣⎡0.25 M ⎦⎤ ⎣⎡0.15 M ⎦⎤
The equilibrium will shift to the right and the reaction will be less pink and more blue.
The reaction will use heat to make products; therefore, the container will become cooler to
the touch.
c. 3+
Fe (aq) 6 SCN‐ (aq) 3‐
Fe(SCN)6 (aq);
+ →
←
brown colorless red
3+
Fe is added to the equilibrium mixture.
The equilibrium will shift to the right and the mixture will become less brown and more
red.
d. 2+
Pb (aq) 2 Cl‐ (aq) PbCl2 (s)
+ →
← + heat;
colorless colorless white solid
Cl‐ is added to the equilibrium mixture.
The equilibrium will shift to the right and more precipitate will form. Heat will also be
generated and the temperature of the container will increase.
e. C2H4 I2 → C2H4I2
colorless gas
+
violet gas ← colorless gas
+ heat;
8.54 a. 2+
Cu (aq) 4 NH3 (aq) 2+
Cu(NH3)4 (aq);
+ →
←
blue colorless dark purple
some NH3 is added to the equilibrium mixture.
The equilibrium will shift to the right and the mixture will become less blue and more
purple.
b. 2+
Pb (aq) 2 Cl‐ (aq) PbCl2 (s)
+ →
← + heat;
colorless colorless white solid
the equilibrium mixture is cooled.
The equilibrium will shift to the right and more precipitate will form. Heat will also be
generated and the temperature of the container will increase.
c. C2H4 I2 → C2H4I2
colorless gas
+
violet gas ← colorless gas
+ heat;
‐
The equilibrium will shift to the right. The amounts of H+ and HCO3 will decrease, while
the amounts of H2O and CO2 will increase. The concentration of the water will not be
significantly changed because this reaction is occurring in an aqueous environment.
The equilibrium will shift to the left. The amount of CO2 and H2O will increase, while the
amount of H2CO3 and the heat decrease. The concentration of the water will not be
significantly changed because this reaction is occurring in an aqueous environment.
The equilibrium will shift to the right. The amount of CO2 and H2O will decrease, while
the amount of H2CO3 and heat increase. The concentration of the water will not be
significantly changed because this reaction is occurring in an aqueous environment.
The equilibrium will shift to the right. During the shift to the right, the concentrations of
N2O and O2 will decrease and the concentration of NO2 will increase. (Note: The O2
equilibrium concentration will be higher than the initial O2 concentration because the
stress to the system was adding more O2 and not all of the “new” O2 will be used in the
shift to the right.)
The equilibrium will shift to the right. The concentration of SO3 will decrease and the
concentrations of SO2 and O2 will increase.
The equilibrium will shift to the right. The concentrations of CO and O2 will decrease and
the concentration of CO2 will increase.
ADDITIONAL EXERCISES
8.59 H2 (g) + F2 (g) → 2 HF (g) should be a faster reaction than H2 (g) + I2 (g) → 2 HI (g) because at
the same temperature, F2 and I2 have the same kinetic energy; however, the F2 molecules have
a faster velocity because they are much less massive than the I2 molecules. The faster velocity
of the F2 molecules allows them to have more collisions with the H2 molecules, and
consequently, a faster reaction rate.
8.61 As temperature increases, the solubility of a gas in a liquid decreases. In a lake, the amount of
oxygen in water will decrease as the temperature increases. Bacteria require oxygen to
metabolize organic contaminants and use them as a food source, and as the temperature
increases, the metabolic rate of bacteria as well as their demand for oxygen increases. As a
result of the decrease of dissolved oxygen, the bacteria die. Dead bacteria do not require food
and the contaminants are not metabolized; therefore, the rate of chemical decontamination
decreases.
8.64 If the reaction A + B → C + D is designated as first order, the rate depends on (a) the
concentration of only one reactant.
8.66 A book is held six feet above the floor and then dropped. (a) The potential energy of the book
is converted to kinetic energy.
8.67 When a crane at a building site lifts a beam to its top height, the beam has high (b) potential
energy.
8.72 The best example of potential energy changing to kinetic energy is (a) pushing a rock off a
cliff.
8.76 A catalyst operates by (a) decreasing the activation energy barrier for a reaction.
8.77 It is not true for reversible chemical reactions that (c) when the reaction is finished, both
reactants and products are present in equal amounts.
8.78 When there is an increase in pressure to the system of 2 CO (g) + O 2 (g) R 2 CO 2 (g) , one
would expect (a) an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide.
190 Chapter 8
8.79 If the temperature is increased for an exothermic reaction, then (b) equilibrium will shift to the
left.
8.80 For N 2 (g) + 3 H 2 (g) R 2 NH 3 (g) + heat , it is incorrect that (a) an increase in temperature
will shift the equilibrium to the right.
8.81 (b) The concentrations of the reactants and products are constant.
8.82 The effect of the addition of a catalyst to a reaction in equilibrium is (c) there is no change in
composition of the reaction.
8.83 For the reaction: H2 (g) + Br2 (g) → 2HBr (g), the reaction can be driven to the left by (c)
increasing hydrogen bromide.
[SO3 ] .
2
Kc = =
1.50 L ⎦ ⎣ 1.50 L ⎦ = 0.035
[ NOCl ]2 ⎡ 1.80 mole 2
⎣ 1.50 L ⎦
⎤
K eq =
[PCl 3 ][Cl 2 ]
[PCl 5 ]
⎡0.250 M ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣0.250 M ⎤⎦
0.0245 = ⎣
[PCl5 ]
[PCl5 ] = 2.55 M
8.88 H 2 + I 2 R 2 HI K eq = 50.5
[ HI ]2
K eq =
[H2 ][I 2 ]
2
⎡ 0.500 M ⎤⎦
50.5 = ⎣
[ 0.050][I 2 ]
[I 2 ] = 0.099 M
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 191
8.89 The other reactant in the lycopodium powder reaction shown in Figure 8.10 is oxygen gas.
The oxygen gas exists as individual molecules that react faster with the cloud of lycopodium
powder than with the pile of lycopodium powder because the surface area of lycopodium
powder exposed to oxygen is greater in the cloud of lycopodium powder than in the pile of
lycopodium powder.
A crushed Alka‐Seltzer tablet should dissolve faster than a whole tablet because the surface
area of a crushed tablet is greater than the surface area of a whole tablet; therefore, the
crushed tablet has greater interaction with the solvent than the whole tablet does.
8.90 In the equation N 2 O 4 R 2 NO 2 , heat is a reactant because the system favors the reactants
when the system is cooled and favors the products when the system is heated. LeChatelier’s
principle states that the equilibrium will shift to counteract the stress added to the system;
therefore, if the system is cooled and shifts toward the reactants, that means heat is a reactant
that could counteract the stress of cooling. If the system is heated and shifts toward the
products, that means heat is a reactant that needs to be used in order to counteract the stress
of heating. Heat is a reactant; therefore, the system is endothermic. The presence of a catalyst
in the tube would not influence the equilibrium concentrations of the two gases, it would
merely allow equilibrium to be reached sooner. The catalyst lowers the activation energy for
both the forward and reverse reactions equally, and therefore, only increases reaction rates.
8.92 Smoking is dangerous in the presence of oxygen gas. The abundance of oxygen (an oxidizing
agent) would increase the reaction rate for a redox reaction occurring between any reducing
agent and the oxygen gas. A lit cigarette or even a small amount of ash containing an ember
could provide the activation energy needed for an explosive redox reaction.
EXAM QUESTIONS
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In an exergonic process, the system:
a. gains energy. c. neither gains nor loses energy.
b. loses energy. d. more than one response is correct
Answer: B
192 Chapter 8
2. At 20˚C, a sample of solid spontaneously sublimes to a gas. This change in state is accompanied by
which of the following changes in the solid sample?
a. entropy & energy decrease c. entropy decreases & energy increases
b. entropy & energy increase d. energy decreases & entropy increases
Answer: B
5. Most automobiles function by burning gasoline by a process similar to the equation in which octane
is burned: C8H18 + O2→CO2 + H2O + heat (not balanced)
Interpret the implications of this reaction.
a. It goes to the right because it is spontaneous after a spark is supplied.
b. It explains why a car stops running when there is no gas in the fuel tank.
c. Gasoline can be made commercially because the reaction can run backwards if the energy
is returned to the CO2 and H2O.
d. All of these responses are correct.
Answer: B
6. Which of the following states of matter generally has the lowest entropy?
a. a crystalline solid
b. a liquid
c. a gas
d. two of the three have virtually the same entropy
Answer: A
9. Which is an incorrect statement when discussing molecular collisions leading to the chemical
reaction, AB + CD→AD + CB?
a. The faster the motion of the molecules, the more likely they are to collide.
b. The faster the motion of the molecules, the greater the probability that a chemical reaction
will occur.
c. The slower the motion of the molecules, the more likely that this reaction will become an
equilibrium reaction favoring the left side of the equation.
d. The relationship between molecular collisions and reaction rate is direct.
Answer: C
10. Which of the following is most closely related to the term ʺreaction rateʺ?
a. the temperature needed to initiate a reaction
b. the position of equilibrium when a reaction stops
c. the speed of a reaction
d. more than one response is correct
Answer: C
16. Sulfur reacts with oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide, but only if the high activation energy is
supplied. Which condition will lower the activation energy the most?
a. stirring the mixture
b. heating the mixture
c. using a catalyst
d. the activation energy cannot be lowered
Answer: C
20. If the reaction A + B R C occurs and pure A and B were mixed, which of the following would take
place as equilibrium was established?
a. The concentration of C would increase for a time, then remain constant.
b. The concentration of A would increase for a time, then decrease.
c. The concentration of B would increase for a time, then remain constant.
d. More than one response is correct.
Answer: A
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 195
21. In a system of equilibrium, it is true that:
a. the rate of the forward reaction exceeds that of the reverse.
b. the rate of the forward reaction is lower than that of the reverse reaction.
c. the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction.
d. More than one response is correct.
Answer: C
Equilibrium. The following questions refer to the following equilibrium in which all reactants and
products are gases: CH4 + H2O R CH3OH + H2 + heat
Indicate the effect of the changing condition on the position of equilibrium.
Answer: C
196 Chapter 8
28. A K is calculated for a reaction that displays an equilibrium position far to the left, such as:
N2 + 3H2 R 2NH3 at 1 atm and 25˚C A possible equilibrium constant for this reaction is:
a. 0.5 c. 1.5
b. 0 d. There is no way to predict a possible K.
Answer: A
29. BrCl is put into a 1.00 liter container. At equilibrium, the molar concentration of BrCl is 0.382, and
that of Br2 is 0.319. Evaluate the equilibrium constant for the following reaction: Br2 + Cl2 R 2 BrCl
(all are gases).
a. 0.457 b. 0.699 c. 1.43 d. 5.74
Answer: C
30. When the equilibrium constant expression is written for the reaction: N2 + 3F2 R 2NF3,
what is the exponent of the concentration of fluorine, F2?
a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 0
Answer: C
31. Which of the following statements about a K of 3.5 calculated for a specific chemical reaction at
equilibrium is definitely incorrect?
a. It was calculated by dividing the product of the products by that of the reactants.
b. It indicates that one side of the reaction has most of the matter present.
c. It is an evaluation of the extent of the two chemical reactions involved: the forward and the
reverse reactions.
d. A K of 3.5 indicates that a catalyst will push the reaction to the right.
Answer: D
34. Which of the following products is not suitable to timed‐release method for medications that are
desired to have an extended effective level time?
a. appetite control materials c. fluoride compounds in a toothpaste
b. analgesics used for middle‐aged people d. diuretics
Answer: C
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 197
35. Which method can be used to produce a timed‐release medication?
a. The patient is given the medication in small doses over time, rather than one larger dose.
b. The patient is to take the medication two or three times a day.
c. The medication is provided in special capsules that are subdivided into smaller, pulverized
portions of the medicinal compound.
d. The medication compound is produced in very small amounts and each is coated with a material
of varying thickness.
Answer: D
37. A catalyzed, aqueous chemical reaction occurs. Which of the following conditions will reach
completion the soonest?
a. a low concentration of catalyst c. a high concentration of catalyst
b. a high concentration of the reactants d. stirring the reaction mixture
Answer: C
39. If we remove CO2 from the following equation, CO + H2O + heat R CO2 + H2,
which way will the equilibrium shift?
a. to the left c. to the right
b. will have no effect d. not enough information to know
Answer: C
40. If we add a catalyst to the following equation, CO + H2O + heat R CO2 + H2,
which way will the equilibrium shift?
a. to the left c. to the right
b. will have no effect d. not enough information to know
Answer: B
43. Ice has a(n) ______ entropy than that of liquid water.
a. lower b. equal c. higher d. cannot tell
Answer: A
44. What would be the effect of doubling the pressure on the following equilibrium system?
N2(g) + 3F2(g) R 2NF3(g)
a. Shift it to the right.
b. Shift it to the left.
c. Have no effect.
d. Impossible to predict.
Answer: A
45. Which of the following would be the equilibrium expression for the following system?
N2(g) + 3F2(g) 2NF3(g)
a. [ N 2 ][ F2 ]3 b. [ 3]
NF c. [ 2 ][F2 ]
N d. [ NF ]
2
3
[ NF3 ]
2
[ N2 ][F2 ] [ NF3 ] [ N2 ][ F2 ]
3
Answer: D
TRUE‐FALSE
1. Enthalpy always increases with increasing randomness.
Answer: F
2. When a spontaneous process is accompanied by an energy increase, then a large entropy increase
must also occur.
Answer: T
4. The reaction below does not progress at room temperature, but does at 1100˚C. Therefore, this
reaction is spontaneous at 1100˚C.
5. Chemical reactions always occur once the molecules of two substances collide.
Answer: F
Reaction Rates and Equilibrium 199
6. Butane, C4H10, burning in air, is an example of a substance combining with oxygen to produce CO2
and H2O. If pure oxygen were to be supplied, the rate of combustion would increase significantly;
therefore, more energy is given off when 10 g of butane burns in pure oxygen than when 10 g of
butane burns in air.
Answer: F
7. A reaction rate can be described in terms of the change in concentration of either a reactant or a
product.
Answer: T
8. A reaction rate can be described using any unit of time (seconds, hours, etc.).
Answer: T
10. A reaction will occur each time two reactant molecules collide.
Answer: F
11. Activation energy is the total energy released when a reaction takes place.
Answer: F
12. Reactions that have a low energy of activation tend to proceed at a high rate.
Answer: T
13. The products of an exothermic reaction contain less energy than do the reactants.
Answer: T
14. Increasing the concentration of a reactant will increase the number of effective collisions.
Answer: T
15. Decreasing the temperature will decrease the number of effective collisions.
Answer: T
16. The effect of a catalyst is to eliminate the activation energy requirement of chemical reactions.
Answer: F
19. If heat is absorbed when a compound dissolves in water, the compound should be more soluble at
higher temperatures.
Answer: T
20. If the reaction A + B→C is exothermic, the concentration of C should increase with increasing
temperature.
Answer: F
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
was making for the glass doors of the hall, all ready muffled up for a walk. As for
Marjorie, he had to go and find her in her room where she was desperately locked in,
miserable.
"Mr. Collop has got something to tell us, my dear. Won't you come down?"
"Blast him!" came in tearful, broken tones from within.
"No, my dear, but please do come down. He really wants us all."
"I don't believe it's any use—no use at all, the rotter!" broke out that tearful voice.
"Marjorie, dear, please come."
"Very well"—with a grunt from within—"but it's no use!"
So the shepherd got his flock together. He was in a strange mood that the occasion
was ceremonial, and he felt a fool. He almost counted heads as he roped in his little
herd. They were all there. They filtered into the West Room, expecting little, and
annoyed in their various ways; Marjorie hideous with recent tears, Aunt Amelia almost
baa-a-ing, the Professor inept, McTaggart desperately out of place, the puller of horses
more sullen than ever, and ah! the triumphant Victoria Mosel, cool as the woodland
goddess of old songs—but smoking.
Birds of the Empire.
II.—The Parrot Attaboy, out of action.
They stood huddled in the West Room under that Sunday morning light, looking on
the ravaged furniture, the staring pink circle where the now demolished glass had
saved the paper from fading, the Parrot's cage—but gazing above all on the immortal
Collop and awaiting his great news.
In that solemn and expectant silence—the chimes for church were ringing—the
parrot sneezed three times, with a grievance, and very hoarsely muttered "Attaboy!"
and shivered. It had a cold in the head.
Nor did Lord Galton wince—though that parrot had suddenly revealed to him a
world of things about his cousin's conversations when his back was turned.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
She could not vault; she could not even stride. Lastly, the Home Secretary himself
hooked a lean shank over and stood with the shivering group. Outside they all came on
to the swept gravel of the avenue, with its row of bare trees and its border of broad
snow on either side. Mr. Collop with a gesture still more majestic than any he had yet
assumed, pointed with iron hand and arm at the light snow which covered the grass
upon the right. There, sure enough, was the mark of a bird's claw. And side by side
with it, the other triple mark of the bird's other claw.
"A bird 'ops," pontificated Mr. Collop, significantly. "'E don't run—'cept ostriches and
such like. 'E 'ops. Foller me!"
His left hand slightly clenched, with his right he pointed down continuously to the
border of the snow, whence, at short intervals, those two triple marks appeared and
reappeared.
"Mark you," said Mr. Collop, facing the group—the now half-frozen group. "I said, a
bird 'ops. What 'opped 'ere? A bird!"
They approached the fatal tree.
"And 'ere," said Mr. Collop in the tone of a guide conducting a party of tourists, "our
marks are lost. And for why? 'E takes the air! Whither will 'e take the air? Put ye'self in
his place. Whither would a bird take the air from hence, seeing what fatal burden 'e
bore in 'is beak?" He half waved, half pointed, with his left hand at the hollow-branched
stump just higher than their heads and some ten feet away. "Foller me," he said again.
They followed him—but not to the point of going on the snow, which Mr. Collop did
with great courage and resolution. He stood on tiptoe by the trunk and stretched his
clenched left hand upward, groped with it hidden to the wrist in the hollow of the rotten
branch, lifted it out again high between them and the frosty January sky. There held
between the thumb and forefinger, unmistakable, recovered, was the Emerald.
"What did I tell yer?" he waved triumphantly in that keen air, "Brains, gentlemen ...
ladies and gentlemen, I mean.... Brains! Induction." And he calmly slipped the gem into
his pocket.
Had they been in a warm room they would have applauded: it was so exactly like
the best tricks. But they were cold. They huddled back. It was only twenty or thirty
yards; they would be in the warmth again in a moment.
I know very well that there ought to have been a shock of surprise. A cheer.
Excitement. What you will. But, Lord! it was so cold!
One by one they clambered, straddled, strode, vaulted, crawled and shambled over
the low window ledge and back into the room. Mr. Collop came last, and slammed the
window down behind him: and Aunt Amelia welcomed them as might the old nurse of
Ulysses when he returned at last from so much wandering. As the warm air revived
them they began to feel him, very rightly, a hero.
"Now," said he, "shall I show ye all 'ow these things are done? Step by step,
unbeknownst to others? Ah! It's worth knowing! Look 'ere," and he began, their interest
rising as their blood began to move again: "You mayn't see it, but I see it, here on this
parky floor." He stooped down and tapped it with his finger. "Little marks. Little marks."
There were no little marks—but no matter. He had done his best to suggest them.
The Professor greatly helped them by his folly.
"Yes! I see! Oh! Yes! Most interesting! I see them now!"
"And where does they lead? Why, to the winder. Then what did I say to myself? I
ses, 'A bird! A daw!' And mark you, gentlemen—ladies and gentlemen, I mean—I didn't
come to that blindly, either. For you'll pardon me, but I know what you'd all said."
The guests looked—or at least, most of them did—at their host. But he was
modestly regarding the carpet.
"I know as 'ow you 'ad, all or most of you, felt suspected like and might well enough
think you could each o' ye be certain which o' ye it was. And ye were wrong," he
continued, wagging his head solemnly. "Orl wrong! It was but an innocent bird. Or a
thievish bird. Any'ow—a bird. That's what it was—a bird. When I 'eard of your
confusion from our good host here"—and again Mr. de Bohun looked anyhow—"I says
to meself, 'They're innocent, they are!' That was my first clue. Orl innocent," he
emphasized cheerily, nodding in a nice heartening way to McTaggart, the Professor
and young Galton, the last of whom said, almost audibly, to Vic, "The stinker!" and to
whom Vic whispered back, "Well, he found it, anyhow!"
"Orl innocent," went on Mr. Collop. "Orl as white as the driven snow. And 'oo set
things right and proved you so? Why, yours truly.... First, arter I'd thought 'ard orl night,
I looks by the first white o' morning at the parky—and sure enough I sees them faint
prints on the wax, like: an' them near the winder. What are the birds as thieves? Why,
daws! Now, ladies and gentlemen, daws 'as claws; talons, ye may call 'em, of a 'ighly
partic'lar kind. It's our business in my trade to know orl we can—and I can tell a daw's
claws from any other claws, or paws ... any other in the wide world.
"So wot does I do? In this same early morning, afore any one of ye were up—at any
rate, afore any of yer had showed themselves, I was out trailing. Sure enough, there I
found where the bird had gone, for I marked his prints on the snow. When I found
where the bird 'ad 'opped to, I follered to where he'd sat on the air. When I found where
he'd taken the air, what does I do? Did I say to myself, ''E 'as flown far, far away; give
up the search, William Collop? You are proven right, but the hem'rald will not be seen
again by mortal eye.' Did I despair thus? No, not I! I thinks to myself, knowing the
habits of birds better than most—we 'ave to know such things in our trade—he 'as put it
near by, so's to be able to come and gloat on it. They love to go and gloat on what they
'ave taken, do daws. Then I noted that rotten stump o' branch just convenient to the
bird where he took the air, and I says 'Yureeker,' which is, being interpreted, 'Found.'
But I didn't touch that bole; no, I trusted to my induction. I was as sure it was there as
though I'd seen it, and I wanted to lead up to it step by step so's ye might be witness to
the discovery. Weren't I right?
"That's why I asked you all to be brought 'ere. That's why I took you all out and
made the thing clear to you before your own eyes; William Collop said he'd find the
hem'rald where his induction told him it would be. And there he found it!"
His face was irradiated with no common glory.
"An' now," he said, at the end of this harangue, and plunging his hand into his coat
pocket to fish out the gem, "now I restore it—'Ullo!" he frowned; the groping of his hand
in his pocket looked like some small animal fighting in a bag. "'Ullo!" he repeated and
still he groped. "'Ullo—'ullo! Wot's this!" His face grew black. He eyed successively with
some disfavour the Professor, McTaggart and Galton. "You were all close together," he
said suspiciously, "as we came through that winder!" Then suddenly, "Ah! 'ere it is!
Smother me if it 'adn't gone through a hole in the lining. That's my missus, that is. She's
that careless." And turning the receptacle inside out he gingerly picked the jewel from
the tear between the sateen, with threads still attached to its setting.
"There now! Wot was I saying? I restore it to its rightful owner!" And with a bow,
unlike that of Lord Chesterfield's dancing master, he handed it to Marjorie.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Collop, thank you!" said Marjorie. "Thank you a thousand times.
I don't know how to thank you!"
"It's really very remarkable, Mr. Collop, very remarkable indeed. Very remarkable,"
said the Home Secretary. He went so far as to wring his subordinate by the hand. "We
are infinitely obliged to you."
The guilty three were less enthusiastic; but they murmured as though they would be
polite—though Galton's murmur, overheard by Vic, was, "I believe he pinched it
himself!" And Vic answered in a second whisper, "Fat-head!"—a chosen epithet
delivered with such real contempt in the slit of a dark eye as made the poor horse-
puller wince.
Then Aunt Amelia bleated:
"I don't quite understand. Who does Mr. Collop say stole the emerald?"
"Amelia! Amelia!" protested her brother severely.
"But I want to know," began poor Aunt Amelia pathetically. "I didn't hear properly. I
want to know who it is has been found to have stolen the ..."
Her brother interrupted desperately.
"I'm so sorry," he cried, turning to the others, but directing his remarks particularly
and courteously to McTaggart, as the stranger. "You must excuse my sister. She does
not always hear."
"I must thank you myself, personally and warmly, Mr. Collop," said Marjorie, the
ancient courtesy of the Bohuns strong in her veins. "We'd all got lousy with worry, and
you've hit the cocoanut."
"Thank you, Miss, I'm sure," said Mr. Collop, bowing again in the manner aforesaid.
And they all drew apart to various rooms, but Victoria Mosel, lingering for a
moment, whispered in Mr. Collop's ear, "I saw it in your hand before the tree!" The
detective started. "For Gawd's sake!" he pleaded under his breath.
"All right, I don't give people away." She nodded reassuringly and slipped away....
Hence for so many years the devoted service of Mr. Collop whenever Victoria cared to
summon him.
The Home Secretary had detained McTaggart, catching his arm as he turned to go,
and had said, "Wait a moment, Mr. McTaggart, wait a moment. Mr. Collop, I think it is
only just to say in your presence that I had repeated to this young gentleman—not my
suspicions—they were not my suspicions—but what I had been told were the
suspicions of others."
Mr. Collop bowed again in the aforesaid manner.
"Mr. McTaggart," the Home Secretary continued, "I'm going to ask Mr. Collop to let
us have a few words together alone. Mr. Collop, where may I see you in five minutes?"
"Where you will," said Mr. Collop with chivalry. "I'll be looking at the old paintings in
the 'all. The ancestors, I've seen them in the ball room already," he added, nor was
there any irony in his innocent soul.
When he had shut the door behind him, the poor old Home Secretary put an almost
fatherly hand on McTaggart's shoulder.
"My dear young sir," he said, "what can I do? How can I apologise? It is not enough
to ask you to forgive me. May I ask to communicate with you when we reach town?"
The mind of McTaggart was not alert, but even he foresaw the possibilities.
Politicians have not very great power nowadays save in patronage; that they still do
retain; of public money there are some odd millions every year at the disposal of the
politicians. It is only fair to say that most of them are content with moderate pickings for
themselves and their connections.
Therefore did McTaggart answer with a natural prescience of coming advantage. "It
is very good of you, sir. May I call at the Home Office?"
"Yes, yes. Shall we say Thursday at noon?" De Bohun marked it in a little pocket
book and then joined Collop in the hall, as McTaggart walked off.
"Mr. Collop," he said, "won't you come back and talk to me a moment in private?"
They returned together. And exactly the same scene was rehearsed, except that he
dared not put a hand on the shoulder of such a being as Collop.
"Mr. Collop," he said, "you know that the Department of which I am the head is
proud of you."
"Thank you, sir," said Mr. Collop sedately. "Thank you very much." He then added:
"I have only done my duty...." But I am glad to say that he did not add "as a man is
bound to do," for if he had done that de Bohun, whose nerves were already on edge,
might have had a fit. However, he meant something of that kind. So let it be credited to
him.
"Mr. Collop," went on the Home Secretary, "when I go to the office to-morrow,
Monday, I hope you will allow me to make a particular point of seeing you. Men of your
kind must not be wasted."
"Thank you, sir," said Collop again, in a tone which showed a full sense of his
worth. "I shall always be at your orders."
And so, you will say, the great thing ended.
Wrong again.
De Bohun had sunk back into his chair, now at last at rest. There were still
inexplicable things drifting through his mind. He had vague memories of Galton
accusing his cousin the Professor, and the Professor accusing McTaggart, and
McTaggart spotting Collop; of himself accusing McTaggart; of the boy Ethelbert
accusing Galton. He even had confused recollections of their actually swearing to
things they had seen which they could not have seen. But he sighed with deep content
at the solution of it all, and he thought of his daughter's relief. He decided to worry
himself with contradictions no more. The emerald had been found; a bird had taken it,
and no one was to blame. That man Collop had genius.... Marjorie would be in a better
temper now. He shut his tired eyes. He was on the point of falling into a short sleep
after so much strain when there was a knock at the door, and he saw as he opened his
eyes again, not too pleased at being wakened, the august, the discreet, the
considerable figure of George Whaley.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
beg your pardon, sir! May I have the honour of a moment's confidential
word with you?"
The refined, the courteous phrase, was followed by a discreet cough.
The cough was a trifle mechanical, the words a little too rapidly spoken,
as is (alas!) the common fate of words learned by heart for a set piece,
whether by front benchers or perjuring policemen. What followed was marred by the
same slight defect, but it was at least clear. It rattled out—to quote a noble simile from
the Wallet of Kai Lung—"like a stream of pearls dropped into a bowl of jade."
"There has come to my knowledge sir which would grieve my 'eart to distraction
and breaking were it not overcome by the more powerful emotion of gratitude for so
many happy years passed under this 'ere roof at Paulings I mean this roof at Paulings
and formerly when we had a town house if I may make so bold in one hundred and
twelve Curzon Street Mayfair moved by this my 'eart would not let me keep silent. Oh!
sir. I know the dread secret and if I come to speak of it it is from loyal affection and no
other cause and here and now I put at your service as in duty bound all that has come"
... here Mr. Whaley suddenly clasped a fat right hand against his chest: He ought to
have done it at the word "heart," but the brakes had slipped and he had run past the
station ... "all that has come to the knowledge of these poor humble ears of mine which
would rather have been closed in death than have suffered the agony of them fatal
news but told it shall not be to other human soul nor yet only to you for the respect I
bear to that 'igh name of Deeboon which saving your honour sir ..."
Humphrey de Bohun put his lean hands on his lean knees, sat up, and stared at
this high-geared human gramophone on speed.
"What on earth ..." he began. "Look here, Whaley, have you been drinking? ... Now,
mark me, Whaley!" Humphrey de Bohun could speak with astonishing decision when
he felt quite secure that the person spoken to was unable to answer back. "I've always
made one absolute rule in this house. Any servant of mine who is found the worse for
liquor—I don't care where," and he swept his feeble head down to the southwest, "I
don't care how"—he swept it again—"I don't ... damn it, I don't even care on what!
leaves me there and then!" He leaned back again, somewhat exhausted.
"You wound me, sir," said George Whaley with dignity. "Ah, sir! you wound me!
Indeed you do!"
"Wound your what?" said the Home Secretary, without sufficient consideration.
"My honour, sir," said George Whaley. "And a loyal heart."
This time he remembered the connection of the word "heart" with the appropriate
gesture, and he planked his hand on his merrythought with the noise of a distant 9.2.
The Home Secretary remembered the lessons of his youth, the high traditions of
the de Bohuns.
"I owe you an apology, Whaley," he said, in the appropriate faded-earnest manner.
"But the truth is, I can't pretend to follow what you were saying. I don't suggest that you
spoke too quickly.... I was in a reverie when you came in. The fault is mine. Proceed."
And in his turn George Whaley proceeded—but the chain was broken; he was
thrown back upon impromptu too; and a native terseness, not to say inhibition of
speech, returned to him.
"Well, sir," and he coughed, "I'm afraid it's rather a delicate matter," and he looked
at the nails of his fingers. "Perhaps I ought to plunge in medias res." He sighed. "I've
'eard it's usually the wiser plan in cases like these."
He stood for some fifteen seconds, his bold head with its fringe of grey hair slightly
on one side, and gazing at the exalted culprit with infinite compassion. Then did
George Whaley begin to shake that head, and there escaped him words unusual to his
daily life, but native to his reading of fiction and to his experience on the stage.
"Ah me! Ah me!" he said.
"Look here, Whaley," said his master smartly. "What's the matter? Are you ill? Are
you mad? Have you"—in a softer voice—"have you perhaps suffered some sudden
bereavement?"
"Only the bereavement of a loyal heart deceived, bewildered," moaned George
Whaley, quoting textually from The Waifs of the Whirlwind. He linked his hands before
his ample waistcoat and hung his saddened head.
The Home Secretary's Butler taking the
liberty to observe: "Thou art
the man."
* * * * * * *
Far, far, in the less pretentious but roomy apartments of the East Wing, George
Whaley, suffering untold things, sought for and found the Boy, the culprit, Ethelbert.
They met in the passage that leads from the servants' hall to the Yard; but when I
say met, I rather mean that their visages encountered the one the other at the turn of a
corner separated by a space of some five yards.
The countenance of George Whaley at that moment was not one to inspire
confidence in the young. There was blood on his cheek-bone. His collar was torn, and
all adrift upon the starboard side; his tie was under his ear; there was a gaping tear in
his coat.
"Ow! You young dose of poison!" bawled the injured man, as he lunged forward
upon his prey, and with a loud cry Ethelbert fled. He fled through the open door into the
coal yard, George Whaley limping after. There stood against the wall of the yard,
leaning to its summit, a crazy old ladder. The light boy Ethelbert nipped up it, and at its
foot stood the unhappy and ponderous victim of his misleading confidences, shaking
an impotent fist.
TALE-PIECE
As for the parrot, whom I may call the second Attaboy, he is still the cherished, the
beloved, of that constant heart, Marjorie; Mrs. Munster, née de Bohun, sometime Lady
Galton, as also Mrs. Pemberton—yes, Pemberton. So far as I can remember, she is
nothing else—so far. Such a charming woman! Touching upon the lovely confines of
middle age with large bulges under rather weary eyes. But her father provides
handsomely.
As for that father, the head of the family, Humphrey de Bohun—pronounced
Deboon—he looks no older. It would be odd if he could. He feels no older—that would
be impossible. But he is inclined to colds in the head. He now tells the same story over
and over again, the story of the Emerald. And it always ends, "Now guess who it was?"
They do not murder him, they give it up; and he dodders out, "Why! It was a jackdaw!"
Victoria Mosel has, since the date of the great discovery of the Emerald, spent
week-ends at Basingthorpe, Prawley, Hammerton, Gainger, Bifford, then again at
Hammerton, then again at Gainger, after that at Little Wackham. Then at Bifford again,
then at Gainger, and, of course, at Prawley. She also stayed at the Breitzes' place in
Silesia for three months, where she shot the bailiff's dog—by accident. May I tell you
that she has spent six weeks in every year on the Riviera? Can I deny that, at this very
moment of writing, she is stopping at Hammerton, having passed the last week-end at
Gainger and purposing to go on to Bifford?
The years leave no mark upon her temporal frame, for the skin was ever tight upon
her bones. But she knows that she is getting on—and not in the City sense of that term
either. She already envisages the tomb. I am fond of her. I think she will save her soul.
One great asset which endears her to the rich of her circle. Sir William Collop is
always ready and even eager to come at her bidding to any country house, and there
she puts him through his paces, to the enormous joy of the assembled hosts and
guests. But she is a good girl—I use the word of a woman now nearing sixty—and she
does him no harm. Only, she does make him dance. And why not?
After dinner, in the palaces of the rich, Sir William Collop is compelled to tell quaint
stories of the other rich over whom his position in Scotland Yard gives him insight. Nor
is he unwilling. They all call him a good fellow, by which they mean that his accent is as
thick as cheese. He will be Collop till he dies. His original name is drowned ten fathoms
deep; he is just coming into his pension, and he is an O. B. E. of the third crop.
And the emerald? Ah, my friends! My brothers! I will tell you what happened to the
emerald!
When Mrs. Pemberton, formerly Lady Galton, then Mrs. Munster[1] née de Bohun,
was making the straddle between the Pemberton and the Munster connections—what
we call joining the slats—she needed five hundred pounds. It sounds ridiculous. But
she did. One often does. She had outrun the constable. She did not want to bother her
father, and for the very good reason that he had just got damnably knocked in the
Hungarian Phosphates on the erroneous advice of that silly man Mowlem. Well, she
had taken the emerald to the man who, Vic had told her, was the best expert in London
—Mr. Marlovitch, Junior—and (behold!) he had proved to her by infallible tests that it
was paste. What is more, he had given her proof out of learned books that no emerald
of such size ever had existed, or could exist.
The Bohuns had patriotism in their blood. Marjorie gave the famous trinket to the
State—let me say to England!—under very easy conditions which earned her, I am
glad to say, the entry of her daughter into Parliament. These conditions were modest:
the emerald was to be permanently exhibited, in a very large case all by itself, in the
British Museum, with a tablet engraved at the expense of England—I mean the State—
describing it as the largest Emerald in the world—which it would have been if it had
been an emerald—and assuring the honest public that it had been given by Catherine
the Great to that member of the ancient family of de Bohuns who had served the
interests of the State—or rather, let me say, of England—at the Court of All the
Russias, in those days when the Semiramis of the North was the admiration of Europe.
"What!" you'll exclaim (it's just like you!), "would that regal woman, that generous if
somewhat demanding lady, that broad German strong in her nobility, that Monarch of
the Snows, Empress of all the Russias, have fallen to deceiving handsome Bill Bones
with a piece of paste?"
Not a bit of it. You little understood the nature of those who serve power. She had
given her emerald—and an emerald it was—to a man in whom she had the fullest
confidence; she had given it him with the order to bestow it at once upon the English
captain. But her messenger had preferred his own interest and had substituted that
larger and false one round which all this dance has been led.
And, as the Prime Minister said of his colleague on the front bench who got into
trouble over the insurance shares, who shall blame him?
Not I.
[1]Oh! Yes! I know all about it. She would have gone on calling herself Lady Galton
from husband (save the mark!) to husband. No, child! It's already getting doubtful.
In the future time of which I write it was unknown.
THE END