Thermochemistry

Thermochemistry deals with heat and energies associated with different physical transformations and chemical reactions. Energy is either absorbed during an endothermic reaction, or it can be released, exothermic. The main concern of thermochemistry, however, is the change in energy, usually regarding the exchange of energy of a system with its surroundings.

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This Story also Contains

1. Thermochemistry
2. Heat or Enthalpy of Reaction
3. Some Solved Examples

Thermochemistry

It deals with the heat changes during chemical reactions. It is called chemical energetics and is based on the first law of thermodynamics.

Exothermic Reaction

Heat is evolved here.
ΔH is -ve as HR>HP
ΔH=HP−HR=− ve (at constant pressure)
At constant volume, ΔE=(EP−ER)=−ve that is. ER>EP

Endothermic Reaction

Here heat is absorbed.
ΔH or ΔE=+ ve for endothermic ΔH=Hp−HR=+ ve ( at constant pressure as ) as Hp>HR or Ep>ER
At constant volume
ΔE=(Ep−ER)=+ve

Heat or Enthalpy of Reaction

It is the change in enthalpy (amount of heat evolved or absorbed) when the number of gm-moles of the substance indicated by a chemical reaction has undergone a complete reaction.

It is determined by water and Bomb calorimeters Mathematically, it is given as
=ΣHp−ΣHR

It can be express by [ΔH]p or [ΔE]v at constant pressure and volume respectively.

Recommended topic video on (Thermochemistry)

Some Solved Examples

Example 1: When combustion of ethylene ( C₂H₄) takes place it releases carbon dioxide and water. If the enthalpy of formation of C₂H₄ isw, for O2 is x, for CO2 is y and for H2Ois z.z. Then find the enthalpy of the reaction:

1) y+z−w−x
2) W+3x−2y−2z
3) 2y+2z−w−3x

4)All of the above

Solution:

Enthalpy of reaction, ΔH=HP−HR

First, write the balanced equation of the reaction

C2H4+3O2→2CO2+2H2O

Given:
ΔHf0C2H4=wΔHf0O2=xΔHf0CO2=yΔHf0H2O=z

Now, ΔH=(2y+2z)−(w+3x)=2y+2z−w−3x

Example 2: When combustion of Methane (CH₄ ) takes place it releases carbon dioxide and water. If the enthalpy of formation of CH₄ is 10J, for O₂ us OJ, for CO₂ us 5J and for H₂O us 3J and only 50% CH₄ is converted then the enthalpy of reaction and nature of the reaction is:

1)-0.5J, Exothermic

2) +0.5J, Endothermic

3)-1J, Exothermic

4)+1J, Endothermic

Solution:

Enthalpy of reaction, ΔH=HP−HR

First, write the balanced equation of the reaction

CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O

ΔHf0CH4=10 JΔHf0O2=0 JΔHf0CO2=5 JΔHf0H2O=3 J

As the conversion is only 50% then all reactants and products will also be converted 50%.

So, ΔH=5×0.5+2×3×0.5−0−10×0.5=2.5+3−5=+0.5 J

Hence it is an endothermic process

Example 3: If ΔH is the change in enthalpy and ΔE the change in internal energy accompanying a gaseous reaction, then

1) ΔHis always greater than ΔE

2)ΔH<ΔE only if the number of moles of the products is greater than the number of the reactants

3)ΔH is always less than ΔH

4) ΔH<ΔE only if the number of moles of the products is less than the number of the reactants

Solution:

We know this formula

ΔH=ΔE−ΔnggRTT

From the above formula only possible statement -

ΔH<ΔEΔH<ΔE only if the number of moles of the products is less than the number of the reactants.

The rest of the statements are incorrect.

Example 4: For which of the following reactions, ΔE=ΔH ?

1) N2O4( g)⇌2NO2( g)

2) 2SO2( g)+O2( g)⇌2SO3( g)

3) H2( g)+I2( g)⇌2HI(g)

4) 2H2( g)+O2( g)⇌2H2O(l)

Solution:

ΔH=ΔE+(Δn)RTΔH=ΔE when Δn=0

Out of the given reactions, Δn=0 for
H2( g)+I2( g)⇌2HI(g)

Summary

In thermodynamics, the system refers to that 'part' which is under study. The 'part' of the universe excluding the system is called the surroundings. A boundary separates the system and surroundings. For example, while a student does the inorganic salt analysis, salt becomes a system while the container and the laboratory become the surroundings and walls of the container biome the boundary. Thermochemistry involves the heat energy associated with chemical reactions and physical state changes, the basic principles of which are founded upon the First Law of Thermodynamics: energy is conserved. Major terms to be noted are enthalpy, H, and enthalpy change, ΔH. Exothermic reactions are those in which heat is given off (negative ΔH), whereas in an endothermic reaction, heat is taken in (positive ΔH). Calorimetry is used to measure the heat exchanged in a reaction.