DRAFT 09/05 THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS Name:

________________________________________ Date: _________ Period: _____________

Hessʼs Law
Honorʼs Student Resource Sheet
Background
Change in enthalpy can be measured for any reaction. Hess’s law states that the enthalpy change
from a set of reactants to products is the same whether the reaction takes place in one step or in a
series of steps.

Example: N2(g) +2O2(g) → 2NO2(g) ∆H = 68 kJ

However, this reaction takes place in two steps. If you cancel the
substances that appear on both sides of the reaction arrow, the overall
reaction is the same as our original. Adding the ∆H values gives you 68
kJ.
N2(g) +O2(g) → 2NO(g) ∆H = 180 kJ
2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g) ∆H = -112 kJ

Hints kJ = 68 kJ
N2(g) +2O2(g) → 2NO2(g) ∆H = 180 kJ – 112
1. If a reaction must be reversed, the sign of ∆H is also reversed. If a
reaction has a negative ∆H it is exothermic. Its reverse reaction will,
therefore, be endothermic with a positive ∆H. 2. The magnitude of ∆H is
directly proportional to the coefficients in the balanced reaction. If a reaction must be
doubled, then ∆H is doubled, etc.

Problems
1. Calculate ∆H for the reaction S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g) using the information given
below.

S(s) + 3/2 O2(g) → SO3(g) ∆H = -395.2 kJ

2SO2(g) +O2(g) → 2SO3(g) ∆H = -198.2 kJ

2. Calculate ∆H for the reaction 2NO2(g) → N2O4(g) using the information given below.

N2(g) + 2O2(g) → 2NO2(g) ∆H = 67.7 kJ

N2(g) + 2O2(g) → N2O4(g) ∆H = 9.7 kJ
 47
CHEMISTRY • THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS • © 2005 MCPS SCIENCE
THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS DRAFT 09/05
3. Calculate ∆H for the reaction 2Al(s) + Fe2O3(s) → 2Fe(s) + Al2O3(s) using the
information given below.

2Al(s) + 3/2 O2(g) → Al2O3(s) ∆H = -1669.8 kJ

2Fe(s) + 3/2 O2(g) → Fe2O3(s) ∆H = -824.2 kJ

4. Calculate ∆H for the reaction 2C(s) + H2(g) → C2H2(g) using the information given
below.

C2H2(g) + 5/2 O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + H2O(l) ∆H = -1299.6 kJ

C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) ∆H = -393.5 kJ
H2(g) + 1⁄2 O2(g) → H2O(l) ∆H = -285.9 kJ
48
CHEMISTRY • THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS • © 2005 MCPS SCIENCE