# what can 1 kJ/mol do in reality? [closed]

I am using an approximation of density matrix in a high order series expansion to predict the total internal energy of chemical systems. During my research,it was found out that the precision of such algorithm is accurate up to 0.00001 Hartree by optimising the independent parameters, which is roughly 0.026kJ/mol's error fluctuation. I wonder in reality, what can 1 kJ/mol do in our daily life, what phenomena can 1 kJ/mol of energy possibly trigger? I'm quite a mathematical person and haven't really studied enough chemistry nor physics. if someone could give me some physical intuitions that would be greatly appreciated!

And I meant to leave it as a broad question. Since we are not picking a specific chemical system to chew on here, any unbiased thoughts are welcomed and shall be considered in this post! A collective answer from the various point of view is probably a better way to get one's head around rather than a single aspect answer.

## closed as too broad by ringo, Klaus-Dieter Warzecha, Todd Minehardt, getafix, bonOct 27 '16 at 7:37

Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• When I'm confronted with heat figures either from calorimetry work or molecular modelling studies I ask myself the same question. What I've tried to do, over the years is to try and calibrate myself. For example, what Wattage is your kettle? How long does it take to heat up some water from room temp to boiling? But not simply timing this process but getting a feel for it. – user1945827 Oct 27 '16 at 7:37
• The average kinetic energy of molecules is $3RT/2$ which is $\approx 3.7 \pu{kJ mol^{-1}}$at $300$ K. There is also internal vibrational & rotational energy of molecules which adds $RT/2$ for each squared term in the energy. So your $1 \pu{kJ mol^{-1}}$ does not account to much as its going to be overwhelmed by thermal energy. Of course at $30$ K its different. – porphyrin Oct 27 '16 at 7:37
• @porphyrinas I agree with you. Lower the temperature, more quantum effects would be involved, the predicted result must certainly require a higher level of accuracy... that's totally reasonable to think for. – Gvxfjørt Oct 27 '16 at 9:59

$$\ce{A -> B}$$
a $\Delta G$ value of $1\ \mathrm{kcal\,mol^{-1}}$ will result in an equilibrium value
$$K = e^{-\frac{\Delta G}{RT}}$$