4.4.2

Enthalpy Changes

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Enthalpy Changes

For a given process or reaction, we can measure the enthalpy change.

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Definition of enthalpy change

  • An enthalpy change is a measure of the heat given out or taken in during a process.
  • When objects are heated, they use energy to expand.
  • Enthalpy takes into account the energy used in the expansion.
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Enthalpy vs energy changes

  • We use enthalpy instead of energy because we cannot easily measure energy changes. This is because objects expand when heated.
    • To measure an energy change, we would have to fix the volume of the object.
  • Enthalpy is much easier to use as it allows for expansion.
    • Enthalpy changes are instead measured under constant pressure.
    • The atmosphere is at a constant pressure, so we require no extra equipment.
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Endothermic vs exothermic reactions

  • An exothermic reaction is one which gives out heat energy.
    • An exothermic reaction has a negative enthalpy change.
  • An endothermic reaction is one which takes in heat energy.
    • An endothermic reaction has a positive enthalpy change.
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Combustion is exothermic

  • Combustion is an exothermic process as it gives out heat!
    • E.g. Burning methane:
      • CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
      • ΔH = −882.00kJmol-1
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Thermal decomposition is endothermic

  • Thermal decomposition is an endothermic process.
    • E.g. The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate:
      • CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
      • ΔH = +178.30kJmol-1

Bond Breaking and Making

The basis of chemical reactions is a series of bond breaking and making.

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Bond enthalpies

  • During a reaction, some chemical bonds must be broken and made.
  • The energy to break or make a bond is known as the bond enthalpy.
    • Energy is needed to break a bond so it is an endothermic process.
    • Energy is given off when a bond is made so it is an exothermic process.
  • The enthalpy change of a reaction is a sum of the individual bond enthalpies being broken and made during the reaction.
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The dominating term

  • During a chemical reaction, we must determine whether the reaction requires more energy to break bonds or to make bonds.
    • This will give an overall reaction enthalpy that is either positive or negative.
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Endothermic vs exothermic

  • Since bond breaking is endothermic and bond making is exothermic:
    • More energy required to break bonds in a reaction will lead to an overall endothermic reaction.
    • More energy released making bonds in a reaction will lead to an overall exothermic reaction.

Standard Conditions

For many measurements, we can record them under standard conditions. This is true for enthalpy changes - we call it the standard enthalpy change.

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Symbols

  • Enthalpy is given the symbol H.
  • Enthalpy changes are given the symbol ΔH.
    • A negative enthalpy change (pictured) is one which gives out heat.
    • A positive enthalpy change is one which takes in heat.
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Standard conditions

  • You'll hear the term 'standard conditions' a lot in chemistry. These conditions refer to:
    • A pressure of 1 bar.
    • A temperature of 298K.
    • A substance's most stable state at 298K and 1 bar pressure.
      • E.g. For water, it is liquid.
      • E.g. For carbon, it is graphite.
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Standard enthalpy changes

  • A standard enthalpy change is an enthalpy change carried out under standard conditions.
  • There are two you need to know;
    • Standard enthalpy of combustion (ΔcHθ).
    • Standard enthalpy of formation (ΔfHθ).
  • The superscript θ signifies that it is a standard enthalpy change.
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ΔcHθ

  • The standard enthalpy change of combustion is defined as:
    • The enthalpy change when one mole of a substance in its standard state burns completely in oxygen under standard conditions of 298K and 1 bar pressure.
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ΔfHθ

  • The standard enthalpy change of formation is defined as:
    • The enthalpy change when one mole of a substance is formed in its standard state from the pure elements in their standard states under standard conditions of 298K and 1 bar pressure.

Jump to other topics

1Principles of Science I

1.1Structure & Bonding

1.2Properties of Substances

1.3Cell Structure & Function

1.4Cell Specialisation

1.5Tissue Structure & Function

1.6Working with Waves

1.7Waves in Communication

2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3Science Investigation Skills

4Principles of Science II

4.1Extracting Elements

4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3Organic Chemistry

4.4Energy Changes in Industry

4.5The Circulatory System

4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7Urinary System

4.8Cell Transport

4.9Thermal Physics

4.10Materials

4.11Fluids

5Contemporary Issues in Science

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