Thermochemistry for Chemistry Students
Thermochemistry for Chemistry Students
(iii) define various enthalpies of physical changes and solve calculations on them
(iv) define different enthalpies of chemical changes and provide solutions to problems
on them
(v) write and apply Kirchhoff’s law to solve any given problem
(vi) state and apply Hess’s law and Born-Haber cycle to solve relevant questions
▪ During a chemical reaction, the reaction vessel and its contents constitute a system, and the
vicinity of the reaction forms the surroundings.
▪ Heat is defined as the energy which flows into or out of a system due to the temperature
difference between the system and its surroundings.
▪ Calorimetry is the process of measuring the heat transfer between a system and its surroundings
▪ It is impossible to measure the absolute value of the internal energy of a system, as this
include the energies of all the atoms, their electrons, and the components of their nuclei.
Hence, we can only measure the changes in the internal energy, ∆U
▪ When a system does work on the surroundings, its internal energy decreases by the
amount of work done; when work is done on the system, its internal energy increases
accordingly.
▪ When a system loses heat to the surroundings, the reaction is termed exothermic and the
∆H is negative since there is a decrease in the enthalpy of the system.
▪ A system which absorbs heat from the surroundings is referred to as endothermic and the
∆H is positive as this leads to increase in the enthalpy of the system
▪ For reactions that produce gases, ∆H = ∆U + ∆ngasRT (assuming ideal gas behavior)
where ∆ngas is the change in the amount of gas molecules in the reaction (ng(product) – ng(reactant))
Example 1:
A constant-volume calorimeter showed that the heat generated by the combustion of glucose
is as given below:
C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g) ⇾ 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(g) is 2559 KJ at 298 K. (i.e ∆U = -2559 KJ)
What is the change in enthalpy for the same reaction?
Solution:
∆ngas = [(6 + 6) – 6] = 12 – 6 = 6 mol
∆H = ∆U + ∆ngasRT
∆H = -2559 x 103 J + [(6 mol) x (8.314 JK-1mol-1) x (298 K)]
∆H = -2559 x 103 J + 14.865 x 103 J
= -2544.135 KJ
⸫ ∆H = -2544 KJ
STANDARD ENTHALPY CHANGES
▪ The standard enthalpy change, ∆Hᶱ, is the change in enthalpy for a process in which the
initial and the final substances are in their standard states
▪ The standard state of a substance at a specified temperature is its pure form at 1 bar or 1
atmosphere
▪ The standard enthalpy change for a reaction or a physical process is the difference between
the enthalpies of products in their standard states and the enthalpies of reactants in their
standard states, all at the same specified temperature
i.e ∆reaction H = Σ 𝑛 𝐻𝑝 − Σ 𝑚 𝐻𝑟 ……………………………………………..(1)
where Σ represents summation
n and m are the coefficients of the substances in the products and reactants,
respectively
Hp and Hr are the enthalpies of products and reactants, respectively
▪ A thermochemical equation is one in which the value of the enthalpy change of the reaction
is given along with the reaction. For example,
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) ⇾ CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) : ∆H = -890 KJmol-1
(a) Enthalpies of physical change
This is the enthalpy change that accompanies the transition of a substance or molecule from one
physical state to another. For example the standard enthalpy of vaporization and fusion of
water, are as shown below
H20(l) ⇾ H20(g) ∆vap Hᶱ(373 K) = +40.66 KJmol-1
Endothermic process
H20(s) ⇾ H20(l) ∆fus Hᶱ(273 K) = +6.01 KJmol-1
The enthalpy of freezing is the change in molar enthalpy when a liquid solidifies (Aliq. ⇾ Asol.)
Phase changes that increase molecular contact, such as freezing, are exothermic because
energy is given off when attractions form between molecules.
The enthalpy of freezing of a substance is the negative of its enthalpy of fusion. In general,
the enthalpy change for the reverse of any process is the negative of the enthalpy change for the
original process i.e ∆Hreverse process = - ∆Hforward process
The enthalpy change for a reverse process has the same value but the
opposite sign of the enthalpy change for the forward process at the same
temperature
Sublimation is the direct conversion of a solid into its vapor, (Asolid ⇾ Avapor). The enthalpy
change associated with this process is called the enthalpy of sublimation, ∆subHᶱ.
Since enthalpy is a state function, the enthalpy of sublimation of a substance is equal to the sum
of the enthalpies of fusion and vaporization, provided they are measured at the same temperature
i. e ∆subHᶱ = ∆vapHᶱ + ∆fusHᶱ
Example 2: The enthalpy of fusion of sodium metal is 2.6 KJmol-1 at 25 oC, and the enthalpy of
sublimation of solid sodium at that temperature is 101 KJmol-1. What is the enthalpy of
vaporization of sodium at 25 oC?
Solution: Recall ∆subH = ∆vapH + ∆fusH
101 KJmol-1 = ∆vapH + 2.6 KJmol-1 ⇒ ∆vapH = (101 - 2.6) KJmol-1 = 98.4 KJmol-1
(b) Enthalpies of chemical change
(i) Standard Enthalpy of Formation, ∆f Hᶱ: This is the enthalpy change when one mole of a
compound is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states at 298 K and 1
atmospheric pressure. For example,
H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ H20(l) ∆f Hᶱ, [H20(l)] = -285.9 KJmol-1
(ii) Standard Enthalpy of Combustion, ∆c Hᶱ: This is the enthalpy change when one mole of a
substance is completely burnt in oxygen under standard temperature (298 K) and pressure (1
atmosphere). For example,
C2H6(g) + 7/2O2(g) ⇾ 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l) ∆c Hᶱ, [C2H6(g)] = -1559.5 KJmol-1
(iii) Standard Enthalpy of Atomization of an Element, ∆atomHᶱ: This occurs when one mole of
a gaseous atom is formed from the element in its physical state under standard conditions of
temperature (298 K) and pressure (1 atmosphere). For example,
1/2H2(g) ⇾ H(g) ∆atom.Hᶱ, [1/2H2(g)] = +218 KJmol-1
(iv) Standard Enthalpy of Atomization of a Compound, ∆atom Hᶱ: This is the enthalpy change
when one mole of the compound is converted into gaseous atoms under standard conditions of
temperature (298 K) and pressure (1 atmosphere). For example,
CH4(g) ⇾ C(g) + 4H(g) ∆atom.Hᶱ, [CH4(g)] = +1662 KJmol-1
(v) Standard Enthalpy of Neutralization, ∆neut.Hᶱ: This occurs when one mole of hydrogen ion
(from an acid) is just neutralized by a base in dilute aqueous solution under standard conditions
of temperature (298 K) and pressure (1 atmosphere). For example,
HCl(aq.) + NaOH(aq.) ⇾ NaOH(aq.) + H2O(l), ∆neut.Hᶱ = -57.3 KJmol-1
(vi) Standard Enthalpy of Reaction, ∆reactionHᶱ: This is the enthalpy change when the number of
moles of reactants as indicated in the balanced equation react together under standard conditions
of temperature (298 K) and 1 atmospheric pressure.
Generally, the enthalpy change for a reaction can be calculated using the equation below:
∆reactionHᶱ = Σ 𝑛 ∆𝑓𝐻ᶱ(𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠) − Σ 𝑚 ∆𝑓𝐻ᶱ(𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠)
where n and m are the coefficients of the substances in the products and reactants, respectively.
∆𝑓𝐻ᶱ is the standard enthalpy of formation of the substance
Worked Examples
Example 3:
Calculate the amount of heat evolved when 300 kg of ammonia is produced according to the
following equation:
Solution:
Number of moles of ammonia produced, nNH3 = mass of ammonia given/molar mass of NH3
Molar mass of NH3 = [(1x14) + (3x1)] = 17 gmol-1
Mass of ammonia given = 300 kg = 300 x 103 g
⸫ nNH3 = 300 x 103 g / 17 gmol-1 = 1.77 x 104 mol
Solution:
No of moles of nitroglycerine produced, nC = mass given/molar mass of C3H5(NO3)3
3H5(NO3)3
5.72 x 103 KJ
⸫ 4.67 x 10-2
mol of C3H5(NO3)3 will liberate x 4.67 x 10-2 mol = 66.78 KJ
4 mol
(∆H = -66.78 KJ)
Example 5:
Calculate the heat of formation of methane, given its heat of combustion as -891 KJmol-1 and the
heats of formation of carbon(IV)oxide and water are -394 KJmol-1 and -286 KJmol-1,
respectively.
Solution:
The chemical equation for the combustion of methane is given as follows:
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) ⇾ CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) ∆c H = -891 KJmol-1
Solution:
From the combustion reaction given above;
∆reactionHᶱ = Σ 𝑛 ∆𝑓𝐻ᶱ(𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠) − Σ 𝑚 ∆𝑓𝐻ᶱ(𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠)
Hence the standard heat of formation of C2H2 from its constituent elements is 227.7 KJmol-1
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF REACTION ENTHALPIES
▪ It is assumed that no phase transition takes place in the temperature range of interest. Since eq.
(2) applies to each substance in the reaction, the standard reaction enthalpy changes from
∆rHᶱ(T1) to
T
∆rHᶱ(T2) = ∆rHᶱ(T1) + T 2 ∆r𝐶𝑝ᶱ𝑑𝑇…………………………………..(3) Kirchhoff’s law
1
where ∆r𝐶𝑝ᶱ is the difference of the molar heat capacities of products and reactants under
standard conditions weighted by the stoichiometric coefficients that appear in the chemical
equation:
Solution:
When ∆𝐶𝑝ᶱ is independent of temperature in the range T1 to T2 , the integral in eq. (3) becomes
(T2 – T1)∆r𝐶𝑝ᶱ
⸫ ∆rHᶱ(T2) = ∆rHᶱ(T1) + (T2 – T1)∆r𝐶𝑝ᶱ
We need to write the chemical equation, identify the stoichiometric coefficients and calculate
∆r𝐶𝑝ᶱ
The reaction is H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ H2O(g)
▪ Hess’s law is useful in the calculation of ∆H values of reactions which may be difficult to
determine directly
CO + 1/2O2
Q1 = q1 + q2 + q3
▪ To apply Hess’s law in solving problems, we need to be able to assemble the required equation
from the given equations, by addition or subtraction and do the same mathematical operation
with their ∆Hs.
Example 8:
Calculate the heat of formation of potassium hydroxide from the following data:
(i) K(s) + H2O(l) ⇾ KOH(aq.) + 1/2H2(g) ∆H = -48.0 KCal
(ii) H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ H2O(l) ∆H = -68.5 KCal
(iii) KOH(s) ⇾ KOH(aq.) ∆H = -14.0 KCal
Solution:
The required equation is given by;
K(s) + 1/2O2(g) + 1/2H2(g) ⇾ KOH(s) ∆H = ?
K(s) + H2(g) - 1/2H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ KOH(s) ; ∆H = -48.0 + (-68.5) – (-14.0) = -102.5 KCal
⸫ The heat of formation of KOH from its constituent elements is -102.5 KCal
Example 9:
Given the following thermochemical equations:
(i) CH2= CHCH3(g) + H2(g) ⇾ CH3CH2CH3(g) ∆H = -124 KJmol-1 (Hydrogenation of propene)
(ii) CH3CH2CH3(g) + 5O2(g) ⇾ 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l) ∆H = -2220 KJmol-1 (Combustion of propane)
(iii) H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ H2O(l) ∆H = -286 KJmol-1 (Formation of water)
Solution:
The required combustion reaction is given by:
C3H6(g) + 9/2O2(g) ⇾ 3CO2(g) + 3H2O(l) ∆H = ?
This equation can be obtained by adding (i) and (ii) and subtracting (iii) from the resultant
equation:
C3H6(g) + H2(g) + C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) – H2(g) – 1/2O2(g) ⇾ C3H8(g) + 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l) –H2O(l)
C3H6(g) + 9/2O2(g) ⇾ 3CO2(g) + 3H2O(l) ∆cH= [-124 + (-2220) – (-286)] = -2058 KJmol-1
▪ Lattice energies are difficult to determine experimentally, hence they are calculated by means of an
energy cycle called Born-Haber cycle. A closed path of transformations starting and ending at the same
point, one step of which is the formation of the solid compound from a gas of widely separated ions
where
∆HS = Sublimation energy Na+(g) + Cl-(g)
∆HD = Heat of dissociation of Cl2(g)
I. E = Ionization energy i.e energy required to
remove one mole of electron from a mole of an I. E E. A
atom in the gaseous state to form an ion of the atom ∆HL
Na(g) Cl(g)
E. A = Electron affinity i.e energy released when an
electron is added to a substance in a gaseous state
∆Hs ∆Hatom.
∆HL = Change in lattice energy i.e energy involved
when ions are completely separated in the gas state (or 1/2∆HD)
and are allowed to combine to form ionic solid Na(s) + 1/2Cl2(g) NaCl(s)
∆fHᶱ = Change in enthalpy of formation i.e ∆fHᶱ
energy involved when solid NaCl is formed from
its constituent elements in their standard states
Using Hess’s law:
∆f Hᶱ = ∆HS + I. E + ∆HD + E. A + ∆HL ………………………………….(5)
For NaCl:
Na(s) ⇾ Na(g) ; ∆Hs = 109 KJmol-1
1/2Cl2(g) ⇾ Cl(g) ; 1/2∆HD = 121 KJmol-1
Na(g) ⇾ Na+ + e- ; I. E = 494 KJmol-1
Cl(g) + e- ⇾ Cl- ; E. A = -364 KJmol-1
Na(s) + 1/2Cl2(g) ⇾ NaCl(s) ; ∆f Hᶱ = -411 KJmol-1
Since 4 C-H bonds are broken; the average value for 1 C-H bond is obtained as:
∆H 1662
Average C-H bond energy = 4atom. = 4 = 415.5 KJmol-1
▪ The C-C bond energy can be determined in a similar manner; for example, in ethane, C2H6
C2H6(g) ⇾ 2C(g) + 6H(g); ∆Hatom. = +2822.7 KJmol-1
If B. E(C-H) = 415.5 KJmol-1 and ethane is made up of 1 C-C and 6 C-H bonds, then
NB: The average bond energies determined in this manner are approximately additive and can be
used to estimate heats of chemical reactions or enthalpy changes (i.e ∆H) accompanying gaseous
chemical reactions
▪ If the bonds being formed in a chemical reaction are stronger than those being broken,
then energy will be liberated and the reaction is exothermic
▪ In an endothermic reaction, the bonds formed are weaker than those being broken
▪ When bonds are broken, the standard enthalpy is positive, i.e ∆Hᶱ is +ve
▪ When bonds are formed, the standard enthalpy is negative, i.e ∆Hᶱ is –ve
▪ Since bonds are formed in the products and bonds are broken in the reactants, then
n and m are the number of bonds broken and formed in the reactants and products, respectively
Example 10:
Given below is a list of bond enthalpies at 298 K
Bond ∆Hᶱe / KJmol-1
C-C +348
C=C +612
H-H +436
C-H +412
Calculate the standard molar enthalpy change for the hydrogenation of ethene:
C2H4(g) + H2(g) ⇾ C2H6(g)
Solution:
Use the above information to determine the value of the enthalpy change for N-H bond
Solution:
The chemical reaction is:
(
2 ) (
3 ) (
6 )
Solution:
CO2 atomization C(g) + 2O(g)
B. E(CO2) = 1606 KJ
The structure of CO2 is O = C = O ; therefore, there are 2 (C = O) bonds in CO2
B. E(CO2)
Average bond energy of C = O in CO2 = = 1606/2 = 803 KJ
2
Alternatively using Hess’s law
▪ Since we are interested in the bond energy of CO2, i.e ∆Hatom. of CO2; the CO2 in
equation (3) must appear on the L. H. S. So we reverse eqn (3), and the sign of the
∆H value will also change
▪ Eqn (2) should also be multiplied by 2 and then we add eqns (1), (2) and (3)
together:
B. E(CO2)
Average bond energy of C = O in CO2 = = 1606/2 = 803 KJ
2
Example 13:
Calculate the enthalpy change for breaking the bonds in ethane, and
hence calculate the average bond energy (B. E) of C-H in ethane if
the B. E (C-C) is 348 KJ
Solution:
(i) NH3(g) + HCl(g) ⇾ NH4Cl(s)
In the above reaction, both reactants are in gaseous state, and hence more
disorderliness or entropy compare with the product which is in solid state with less
disorderliness. Using eqn (5), the entropy change for the reaction would be negative
(say 1- (3+3) = 1- 6 = -5). That is decrease in entropy as the product is formed
▪ For a reversible process, the entropy change, ∆S, is defined as the ratio of q to the
absolute temperature, T of the system;
i.e ∆S = dqrev./T…………………………………………………(11)
V2
⸫ ∆S = nR ln ……………………(16) (since ln A- ln B = ln (A/B))
V1
Solution:
V2
Recall ∆S = nR ln
V1
If V1 = a dm3, V2 = 400 a dm3
400 a
⸫ ∆S = (5 mol)(8.314 Jmol-1K-1) ln
a
∆S = 249.07 JK-1
Example 16:
Calculate the entropy change when 15.25 g of sulphur(IV)oxide gas at 298 K is
compressed isothermally while the gas pressure is changed from 330 mmHg to 150
mmHg [Take S = 32.0 ; O = 16.0 gmol-1; R = 8.314 Jmol-1K-1]
Solution:
P1
Recall ∆S = nR ln
P2
▪ All phase transitions (e.g CO2(s) ⇄ CO2(g)) are always in equilibrium with each other;
hence the change in free energy is zero, i.e ∆G = 0
▪ Enthalpy and entropy changes are related to free energy change by the following
expression;
∆G = ∆H -T∆S…………………………………………………………..(19)
∆Ht
Tt∆St = ∆Ht ⇒ ∆St =
Tt
∆Ht
⸫ ∆St = ……………………………………………………………….(21)
Tt
where ∆St = entropy change accompanying the transition
∆Ht = heat change accompanying the transition
Tt = temperature of transition
Example 17:
If the molar heat of transition that accompanied the transition, CO(g) ⇄ CO(s) at 60
oC is 95.8 KJmol-1 .Calculate the standard entropy change, ∆Sᶱ accompanying the
transition
Solution:
∆Ht
Recall ∆Stᶱ =
Tt
Solution:
∆reactionHᶱ = Σ n ∆fH (products) - Σ m ∆fH(reactants)
= [2∆fH(NH3) ] – [∆fH(N2) + 3∆fH(H2) ]
= [2(-45.9)] – [0 + 0]
∆reactionHᶱ = -91.8 KJ
(2) Calculate the lattice enthalpy of MgBr2 from the following data:
Process ∆H (KJ mol-1)
Sublimation of Mg(s) +148
Ionization of Mg(g) to Mg2+(g) +2187
Vaporization of Br2(l) +31
Dissociation of Br2(g) +193
Electron attachment to Br(g) -331
Formation of MgBr2(s) from Mg(s) and Br2(l) -524
(3) Three moles of CO2 gas was compressed isothermally from a pressure of 15 atm to 3 atm. Calculate the
entropy change that accompanies this process if the gas behaves ideally [R = 8.314 J mol -1K-1]
(4) From the following data, determine ∆fHᶱ for diborane, B2H6(g) , at 298 K:
(i) B2H6(g) + 3O2(g) ⇾ B2O3(s) + 3H2O(g) ∆rHᶱ = -2036 KJ mol-1
(ii) 2B(s) + 3/2O2(g) ⇾ B2O3(s) ∆rHᶱ = -1274 KJ mol-1
(iii) H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) ⇾ H2O(g) ∆rHᶱ = -241.8 KJ mol-1
(5) Calculate the bond energy of C-C in C6H6 from the following information:
C(graphite) ⇾ C(g) ∆H atom. = 715 KJ
1/2H2(g) ⇾ H(g) ∆Hatom. = 218 KJ
6C(graphite) + 6H(g) ⇾ C6H6(l) ∆H = 49 KJ
(Given: B.E (C-H) = 411 KJ and B.E (C = C) of aromatic = 602 KJ)
1. The heats of formation of CO(g) and CO2(g) are -26.4 kCal and -94.0 kCal, respectively. The
heat of combustion of carbon(II)oxide according to Hess’s law will be
(a) +94.0 kCal (b) +26.4 kCal (c) -67.6 kCal (d) -120.4 kCal
2. ∆Hᶱ represents the enthalpy change at
(a) 0 oC and 1 atm pressure (b) 0 K and 1 atm pressure (c) 25 oC and 1 atm pressure (d) none of
the above
3. The heat change when one mole of a liquid is converted into vapor or gaseous state at its
boiling point is called
(a) heat of liquefaction (b) heat of fusion (c) heat of vaporization (d) heat of sublimation
4. The heat change in the equation H+(aq.) + OH-(aq.) ⇾ H2O(l) ∆H = -13.7 kCal represents
(a) heat of formation of water (b) heat of neutralization (c) heat of solution (d) heat of
dissociation of water
5. Which of the following always has a negative value?
(a) heat of reaction (b) heat of formation (c) heat of combustion (d) heat of solution
6. By convention, the standard heat of formation of all elements is assumed to be
(a) negative (b) zero (c) infinity (d) positive
7. The ∆fusH of water at 273 K is +6.0 KJmol-1. What is the change in enthalpy of freezing for
water at the same temperature? (a) -6.0 KJmol-1 (b) +6.0 KJmol-1 (c) 0 KJmol-1 (d) +12.0 KJmol-1
8. What mass of propane must be burned to supply 350 KJ of heat according to the equation:
C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) ⇾ 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l) , ∆H∘ = -2220 KJ
(a) 13.88 g (b) 6.94 g (c) 3.47 g (d) 0.16 g
9. For the reaction, C6H12(l) + 9O2(g) ⇾ 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l), ∆H = -3920 KJ at 298 K. What is
the change in internal energy for the reaction, ∆U?
(a) -3.91 x 103 KJ (b) -3.93 x 103 KJ (c) -3.91 KJ (d) -3.93 KJ
10. A sample of benzene, C6H6 , was heated to 80 oC, its normal boiling point. The heating was
continued until 15.4 KJ had been supplied; as a result, 39.1 g of boiling benzene was vaporized.
what is the enthalpy of vaporization of benzene at 80 oC?
(a) 30.7 KJ (b) 30.7 KJmol-1 (c) 7.7 KJmol-1 (d) 7.7 KJ