Chemical Physics Worksheet 2: Enthalpy Change of formation
Model 1: Forming a Compound from its Elements
If a compound is formed from the elements it contains in their naturally occurring forms, the enthalpy change is
called the enthalpy change of formation (ΔfH). The naturally occurring forms of the elements at room
temperature and pressure are called the standard states of the elements and include, for example, graphite for
carbon and O2(g) for oxygen. CO2 contains carbon and oxygen and so ΔfH for CO2 is for the reaction in which it
is formed from graphite and O2(g):
C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g) ΔrxnH = ΔfH (CO2(g)) = -393.5 kJ mol-1
The enthalpies of formation for many compounds are tabulated in databooks and on websites. One reason for
this is that they can be combined to predict the enthalpies of reactions which involve these compounds.
Critical thinking questions
1. Write down the reactions that correspond to the enthalpies of formation of (a) CH4(g) and (b) H2O(l).
(a) (b)
2. Why are ΔfH° (O2(g)) and ΔfH° (H2(g)) both equal to 0 kJ? (Hint: what is the reaction in each case?)
Model 2: Calculating the Enthalpy of Reaction using ΔfH
To determine the overall value of ΔH for a reaction, we can imagine the reaction taking place in two steps:
(i) The reactant molecules are broken apart into the corresponding elements in their naturally
occurring forms. This is the opposite process to the formation of the reactant molecules from
their elements and requires an enthalpy change equal to ΔfH (reactants)
(ii) These elements are then reassembled to make the product molecules. The enthalpy change for
this process is equal to +ΔfH (products)
Using this method, the equation for the enthalpy of reaction becomes:
ΔrxnH° = ΔfH° (products) – ΔfH° (reactants) (1)
The enthalpy change for the combustion of methane is represented on the energy level diagram below. On the
left, CH4(g) and O2(g) are broken up into their elements in the standard states, graphite (C(s)), H2(g) and O2(g).
This is the reverse of their formation so the energy required is –ΔfH° (reactants). On the right, CO2(g) and
H2O(g) are formed from the same elements in the same states so the energy change is + Δ fH° (products).
Critical thinking questions
1. What is ΔrxnH° for the reaction CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)?
2. Use equation (1) and the data below to calculate ΔrxnH° for the reaction MgO(s) + CO2(g) MgCO3(s).
ΔfH°: MgO(s) = -602 kJ mol-1, CO2(g) = -394 kJ mol-1 and MgCO3(s) = -1096 kJ mol-1
Nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is a prominent air pollutant. At low temperatures, it is in equilibrium with its dimer,
N2O4. Starting from NO2, the formation of the dimer can be studied using one of the two equations below:
2NO2(g) N2O4(g) (A)
NO2(g) ½ N2O4(g) (B)
Starting from the dimer, the formation of NO2 can be studied using one of the two equations below:
N2O4(g) 2NO2(g) (C)
½ N2O4(g) NO2(g) (D)
3. Use equation (1) to calculate ΔrxnH° for reaction A. ΔfH°: NO2(g), 33 kJ mol-1, N2O4(g) 9 kJ mol-1.
4. Explain in words the origin of the sign of ΔrxnH° in terms of the chemical changes in the reaction.
5. Use equation (1) to calculate ΔrxnH° for reaction B. How is the value related to your answer to Q3?
6. Use equation (1) to calculate ΔrxnH° for reaction C. How is the value related to your answers to Q3 and
Q5?
7. Explain in words the origin of the sign of ΔrxnH° and in terms of the chemical changes in the reaction.
8. Without doing any calculations, work out the value of ΔrxnH° for reaction D.
Exam type question
Marks
Nitroglycerine, C3H5(NO3)3, decomposes to form N2, O2, CO2 and H2O according to the following
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equation.
4C3H5(NO3)3(l) 6N2(g) + O2(g) + 12CO2(g) + 10H2O(g)
If 15.6 kJ of energy is evolved by the decomposition of 2.50 g of nitroglycerine at 1 atm and 25 °C,
calculate the enthalpy change, ΔH, for the decomposition of 1.00 mol of this compound under standard
conditions.
Answer:
Hence calculate the enthalpy of formation of nitroglycerine under standard conditions.
Data: fH (kJ mol–1)
H2O(g) –242
CO2(g) –394
Answer:
Marks
Ammonium perchlorate mixed with powdered aluminium powers the space shuttle booster rockets:
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2NH4ClO4(s) + 2Al(s) ® Al2O3(s) + 2HCl(g) + 2NO(g) + 3H2O(g)
Given the following thermochemical data, how much heat would be released per gram of Al(s)?
(H2O(l)) = –285.1 kJ mol–1 (Al2O3(s)) = –1669.8 kJ mol–1
(NO(g)) = 90.4 kJ mol–1 (NH4ClO4(s)) = –290.6 kJ mol–1
(HCl(g)) = –92.3 kJ mol–1 (H2O) = 44.1 kJ mol–1
Answer:
Marks
The thermite reaction is written below. Show that the heat released in this reaction is sufficient for the
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iron to be produced as molten metal.
2Al(s) + Fe2O3(s) Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(l)
Assume that the values in the table are independent of temperature.
Substance Enthalpy of Molar heat Melting Enthalpy
formation, ΔfHo capacity, Cp point of fusion
kJ mol–1 J K–1 mol–1 o
C kJ mol–1
Al 0 24 660 11
Al2O3 –1676 79 2054 109
Fe 0 25 1535 14
Fe2O3 –824 104 1565 138
