Finals Lesson 2: Enthalpy of a Chemical Reaction

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

• Explain the enthalpy of reaction (STEM_GC11TCIIIg-i-12)

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the module, learners will be able to

1. define enthalpy;
2. explain enthalpy of a rection; and
3. describe the enthalpies of combustion, fusion, vaporization and solution.

CONTENT:

A chemical equation that shows the value of and direction of heat involved in a reaction is called
thermochemical equation. It is also indicates the physical state of the reactants and products involved in
the reaction.

The amount of heat absorbed or released by a chemical reaction at constant atmospheric

pressure is called enthalpy (H). It is a form of chemical energy.

If heat flows from a system to its surroundings, the enthalpy of the system decreases, so the
enthalpy of a reaction is negative, and the reaction is exothermic.

Conversely, if heat flows from the surroundings to a system, the enthalpy of the system increases,
so the enthalpy of a reaction is positive and the reaction is endothermic

The difference between the enthalpy of the products and reactants is called the enthalpy of a
reaction ( H)

H = H products – H reactants

When H is positive, the chemical reaction is endothermic, when H is negative, the reaction is
exothermic. Consider the exothermic combustion of methane (CH4) into carbon dioxide and water.

CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l) H = -890.4 kJ

This thermochemical equation means that 890.4 kJ of heat is released when one mole of gaseous
methane and two moles of oxygen gas combust to form one mole of gaseous carbon dioxide and two
moles of liquid water.

Enthalpy is also an extensive property. Its magnitude is proportional to the amount of reactants
and products in reaction. For example if the amount of reactants and products in a thermochemical
equation is multiplied by 2, the value of enthalpy is also multiplied by 2. If multiplied by ½, the enthalpy is
also reduced to half.

Original equation: CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l) H = -890.4 kJ

Multiplied by 2 : 2CH4 (g) + 4O2 (g)  2CO2 (g) + 4H2O (l) H = - 1780.8 kJ

Multiplied by ½: ½ CH4 (g) + O2 (g)  ½ CO2 (g) + H2O (l) H = - 445.2 kJ

The standard molar enthalpy of formation ( HOf) of a compound is a change in enthalpy when compound
is formed from its elements under standard conditions (1 atm, 25oC). For this reason, the enthalpy of
formation for an element in its stable form is zero under the standard condition.

Consider the hypothetical equation

aA + bB cC + dD

a,b,c,d are the respective coefficients of substances A,B,C and D in the balanced chemical
equation. The sum of enthalpies of formation is calculated as:

Hof (products) = c Hof (C) + d Hof (D)

Hof (reactants) = a Hof (A) + b Hof (B)

The standard enthalpy of a reaction ( Horxn) can thus be calculated by subtracting the sum ( ) of the
enthalpies of formation of the products and the sum of the enthalpies of formation of the reactants.

H0rxn = Hof(products) - Hof(reactants)

Consider the combustion of ethanol (C2H5OH) to produce carbon dioxide and water.

C2H5OH (l) + 3O2 (g)  2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (g)

The standard molar enthalpies of each reactant and products can be obtained from this table.
 H0rxn = [2 Hof (CO2, g) + 3 Hof (H20, g)] – [ Hof (C2H5OH, l) + 3 Hof (02, g)]
= [2 (-393.5 kJ) + 3 (-241.8 kJ)] – [(-277.7 kJ) + 3(0)]
= -1234.7 kJ

Different enthalpies of reaction:

1. Enthalpy of combustion – the change in enthalpy that occurs during combustion reaction.
Enthalpy changes have been measured for the combustion of virtually any substance that will
burn in oxygen; these values are reported as the enthalpy of combustion per mole of substance.

2. Enthalpy of fusion – the enthalpy change that accompanies the melting (fusion) of 1 mol of a
substance. The enthalpy change that accompanies the melting, or fusion of 1 mol of a substance;
these values have been measured for almost all the elements for most simple compounds. 3

3. Enthalpy of vaporization – the enthalpy change that accompanies the vaporization of 1 mol of a
substance; these values have also been measured for nearly all the elements and for most volatile
compounds.
4. Enthalpy of solution – the change in enthalpy that occurs when a specified amount of solute
dissolves in a given quantity of solvent. The enthalpy changes when a specified amount of solute
dissolved in a given quantity of solvent.
References:

1. Bayquen, A. et al (2016). General Chemistry 2 (First Ed.). Phoenix Publishing Corp. Quezon City,
Phils.
2. Cantal, K.M et.al (nd). General Chemistry 2 – Quarter 2-Week 1 (Module 1). Kinetic Molecular
Model. DepEd Region V.