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Chemical transformations · Chemical thermodynamics

Enthalpy and Calorimetry

Think about an instant cold pack from a first-aid kit. You squeeze it, the ammonium nitrate dissolves, and within seconds it feels icy. A hot pack does the opposite. Both run at the constant pressure of the atmosphere, so how do chemists keep track of that heat, and how can a simple foam cup tell us how much energy a reaction exchanges?

Enthalpy: heat at constant pressure

Most reactions in a lab or in nature happen in open containers, at the constant pressure of the air. In these conditions chemists use a quantity called enthalpy, which is designed so that the heat exchanged is easy to read.

This is why we can measure $\Delta H$ with a simple open calorimeter: we only need to measure heat at constant pressure.

Enthalpy diagram of an exothermic reaction: the reactants are at a higher level than the products, and a downward arrow shows that the enthalpy change is negative. H reactants products ΔH < 0 exothermic: products end up lower

An endothermic reaction is the mirror image: the products sit higher than the reactants, so $\Delta H > 0$. The activation energy $E_a$ is the climb from the reactants up to the peak, and it is a separate quantity from $\Delta H$.

Enthalpy diagram of an endothermic reaction: the products are at a higher level than the reactants, an upward arrow shows that the enthalpy change is positive, and the activation energy is the climb to the peak. H reactants products Ea ΔH > 0

Use the widget to see how the energy profile changes when you change $\Delta H$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Calcium carbonate decomposes thermally according to the following thermochemical equation at $298\,\text{K}$ and $1\,\text{bar}$: $$\mathrm{CaCO_3(s)} \rightarrow…

Calcium carbonate decomposes thermally according to the following thermochemical equation at $298\,\text{K}$ and $1\,\text{bar}$:

$$\mathrm{CaCO_3(s)} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO(s)} + \mathrm{CO_2(g)} \quad \Delta H^\circ = +178.0\,\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$$
  1. a) Justify whether the process is exothermic or endothermic and which physical quantity this enthalpy change represents if the reaction is carried out in an open container at constant pressure.
  2. b) Calculate the heat exchanged, expressed in kilojoules, when $25.0\,\text{g}$ of pure calcium carbonate decompose completely.

Data: Atomic molar masses: $M(\mathrm{Ca}) = 40.1\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{C}) = 12.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{O}) = 16.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$.

Solve

Thermochemical equations

Because enthalpy is extensive, two rules follow:

  • If you multiply all coefficients by a factor, multiply $\Delta H^\circ$ by the same factor.

  • If you reverse the reaction, change the sign of $\Delta H^\circ$.

Rules for manipulating a thermochemical equation: multiplying the equation by 2 multiplies the enthalpy change by 2, and reversing the equation changes its sign. A → B ΔH° × 2 2A → 2B 2 · ΔH° reverse B → A −ΔH°
Practice★☆☆Not started
$A 298\,\text{K}$, the combustion of carbon monoxide gas to give carbon dioxide proceeds with release of energy according to: $$2\,\mathrm{CO(g)} + \mathrm{O_2(g)}…

$A 298\,\text{K}$, the combustion of carbon monoxide gas to give carbon dioxide proceeds with release of energy according to:

$$2\,\mathrm{CO(g)} + \mathrm{O_2(g)} \rightarrow 2\,\mathrm{CO_2(g)} \quad \Delta H_1^\circ = -566.0\,\text{kJ}$$
  1. a) Determine the value of the standard enthalpy of the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide, expressed per mole of $\mathrm{CO_2(g)}$ formed.
  2. b) Calculate the standard enthalpy change, $\Delta H_2^\circ$, for the decomposition reaction:
$$\mathrm{CO_2(g)} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO(g)} + \frac{1}{2}\,\mathrm{O_2(g)}$$
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
The industrial synthesis of ammonia is described by the Haber-Bosch process. The following enthalpy diagram shows the energy associated with this thermochemical…

The industrial synthesis of ammonia is described by the Haber-Bosch process. The following enthalpy diagram shows the energy associated with this thermochemical transformation at $298\,\text{K}$:

The figure outlines the enthalpy balance of the reaction:

H (kJ) Reaction progress 0 kJ −92 kJ N₂(g) + 3 H₂(g) 2 NH₃(g) ? ΔH

The gaseous reactants are at a relative enthalpy of $0\,\text{kJ}$ and the products at $-92.0\,\text{kJ}$ per mole of $\mathrm{N_2(g)}$ that reacts.

  1. a) Write the balanced thermochemical equation with the smallest integer stoichiometric coefficients and deduce, with justification, the sign and numerical value indicated by the arrow with the question mark.
  2. b) Calculate the amount of heat exchanged at constant pressure when $0.50\,\text{mol}$ of $\mathrm{N_2(g)}$ react completely with excess hydrogen, and determine the heat required to decompose $68.0\,\text{g}$ of gaseous ammonia into its elements at the same temperature.

Data: Molar mass: $M(\mathrm{NH_3}) = 17.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$.

Solve

From mass to heat

Flow chart showing how to find heat from a mass: divide the mass by the molar mass to get moles, then multiply by the enthalpy change. mass m (g) amount n (mol) heat qP (kJ) ÷ M × ΔH°

Coffee-cup calorimetry

A constant-pressure calorimeter (a foam cup with a lid and a thermometer) measures $q_P$. The heat gained by the solution is found with $q = mc\Delta T$, and the reaction's heat is its opposite:

$$q_{rxn} = -q_{soln} = -m\,c\,\Delta T$$

For dilute aqueous solutions, take $c = 4.18\ \text{J/(g}\cdot{}^\circ\text{C)}$ and a density of $1.00\ \text{g/mL}$. Then $\Delta H = q_{rxn}/n$, where $n$ is the moles of the limiting reactant (or of the substance the $\Delta H$ is per). If the calorimeter itself absorbs heat, add $C_{cal}\Delta T$ to $q_{soln}$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Two fuels are available for home heating: methane, $\mathrm{CH_4(g)}$, and propane, $\mathrm{C_3H_8(g)}$. The standard thermochemical equations for complete combustion…

Two fuels are available for home heating: methane, $\mathrm{CH_4(g)}$, and propane, $\mathrm{C_3H_8(g)}$. The standard thermochemical equations for complete combustion at $298\,\text{K}$ are:

$$\mathrm{CH_4(g)} + 2\,\mathrm{O_2(g)} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO_2(g)} + 2\,\mathrm{H_2O(l)} \quad \Delta H^\circ = -890.4\,\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$$ $$\mathrm{C_3H_8(g)} + 5\,\mathrm{O_2(g)} \rightarrow 3\,\mathrm{CO_2(g)} + 4\,\mathrm{H_2O(l)} \quad \Delta H^\circ = -2220.0\,\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$$
  1. a) Calculate the energy released per gram of fuel consumed in each case.
  2. b) State, justifying your answer with the results obtained, which of the two hydrocarbons provides the greater energy yield per unit of mass.

Data: Atomic molar masses: $M(\mathrm{C}) = 12.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{H}) = 1.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$.

Solve
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In a constant-pressure calorimeter of $1\,\text{bar}$ (whose heat capacity is considered negligible), $100.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of…

In a constant-pressure calorimeter of $1\,\text{bar}$ (whose heat capacity is considered negligible), $100.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of $\mathrm{HCl} 0.50\,\text{M}$ are mixed with $100.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of $\mathrm{NaOH} 0.50\,\text{M}$, both initially at $21.0\,^\circ\text{C}$. After neutralization is complete, the final temperature of the homogeneous mixture stabilizes at $24.4\,^\circ\text{C}$.

  1. a) Write the net ionic equation of the process and determine the amount of substance, in moles, of water formed.
  2. b) Calculate the experimental molar enthalpy of neutralization, expressed in $\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$ of water produced.

Data: Assume that the density of all aqueous solutions is $1.00\,\text{g}\times\text{mL}^{-1}$ and that their mean specific heat capacity is equal to that of pure water, ce $= 4.18\,\text{J}\times\text{g}^{-1}\times\text{K}^{-1}$. Assume there are no heat losses to the surroundings.

Solve

Enthalpy of formation and combining data

Many problems give $\Delta H^\circ_f$, the standard enthalpy of formation: the enthalpy change to form 1 mol of a compound from its elements in their standard states. Elements in their standard states have $\Delta H^\circ_f = 0$.

You can also combine two measured reactions: add equations and add their $\Delta H$ values (after flipping or scaling as needed). That idea is Hess's law, covered in its own page.

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Gaseous hydrogen, $\mathrm{H_2(g)}$, and liquid hydrazine, $\mathrm{N_2H_4(l)}$, are compared as aerospace fuels. Under standard conditions at $298\,\text{K}$, the molar…

Gaseous hydrogen, $\mathrm{H_2(g)}$, and liquid hydrazine, $\mathrm{N_2H_4(l)}$, are compared as aerospace fuels. Under standard conditions at $298\,\text{K}$, the molar enthalpies of formation are $\Delta H_f^\circ[\mathrm{H_2O(l)}] = -285.8\,\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$ and $\Delta H_f^\circ[\mathrm{N_2H_4(l)}] = +50.6\,\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$.

The complete combustion reactions with oxygen gas form, respectively, liquid water in the case of hydrogen, and nitrogen gas together with liquid water in the case of hydrazine.

  1. a) Write both balanced thermochemical equations per mole of fuel consumed and determine the standard enthalpy of combustion of each in $\text{kJ}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$.
  2. b) If a rocket has a tank with a payload limit of $500\,\text{kg}$ of fuel, work out, with justification, which substance will supply the greater total energy and determine the volume of dry gaseous product that would remain after cooling and completely condensing the water (at $1\,\text{bar}$ and $298\,\text{K}$) for each fuel. Consider only the stoichiometric products: just enough oxygen, with no air or inert gas. This cold volume does not represent the hot exhaust of an engine.

Data: $M(\mathrm{H}) = 1.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{N}) = 14.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $R = 0.0831\,\text{bar}\times\text{L}\times\text{mol}^{-1}\times\text{K}^{-1}$.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
In a lab experiment to determine the enthalpy of hydration and subsequent neutralization of calcium oxide, a student carries out two experiments in a constant-pressure…

In a lab experiment to determine the enthalpy of hydration and subsequent neutralization of calcium oxide, a student carries out two experiments in a constant-pressure calorimeter with negligible heat capacity:

  1. $2.80\,\text{g}$ of $\mathrm{CaO(s)}$ are reacted in $200.0\,\text{g}$ of liquid water, producing the reaction $\mathrm{CaO(s)} + \mathrm{H_2O(l)} \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca(OH)_2(s)}$, and the water is observed to heat up, absorbing $3.26\,\text{kJ}$.

  2. $3.70\,\text{g}$ of $\mathrm{Ca(OH)_2(s)}$ are reacted with an excess of aqueous solution of $\mathrm{HCl}$, releasing $5.84\,\text{kJ}$ according to: $\mathrm{Ca(OH)_2(s)} + 2\,\mathrm{HCl(aq)} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaCl_2(aq)} + 2\,\mathrm{H_2O(l)}$.

  1. a) Calculate the standard molar enthalpy change for each of the two reactions above.
  2. b) Applying Hess's law, determine the standard enthalpy for the direct reaction:
$$\mathrm{CaO(s)} + 2\,\mathrm{HCl(aq)} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaCl_2(aq)} + \mathrm{H_2O(l)}$$

Data: Atomic molar masses: $M(\mathrm{Ca}) = 40.1\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{O}) = 16.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$, $M(\mathrm{H}) = 1.0\,\text{g}\times\text{mol}^{-1}$. Consider the heats corrected to 298 K and standard pressure; neglect dilution effects and heat losses.

Solve

Back to the start: the cold pack feels icy because dissolving is endothermic ($\Delta H > 0$), and a foam-cup calorimeter lets us find that heat from $q = mc\Delta T$.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section