why is the thermal conductivity of para hydrogen more than ortho hydrogen? and why is para hydrogen abundant at lower temperatures?
Dear Student,
The hydrogen formation is of mixture of para and ortho positioning, In general the formation of ortho is 75% leads to major compound formation and para with 25% as minor .
The reason for increased thermal conductivity in para position is due to the nuclear spin, the two hydrogen in para position had nuclear spin in opposite direction while in ortho position the nuclear spin is in same direction hence thermal conductivity is high in para position with 50% higher rate.
Additionally the above property leads to low temperature product achievement in para position than ortho position hence it makes para a minor and ortho a major products.
Regards.
The hydrogen formation is of mixture of para and ortho positioning, In general the formation of ortho is 75% leads to major compound formation and para with 25% as minor .
The reason for increased thermal conductivity in para position is due to the nuclear spin, the two hydrogen in para position had nuclear spin in opposite direction while in ortho position the nuclear spin is in same direction hence thermal conductivity is high in para position with 50% higher rate.
Additionally the above property leads to low temperature product achievement in para position than ortho position hence it makes para a minor and ortho a major products.
Regards.