Thermochemistry

Define thermochemistry.

Thermochemistry is the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical reactions and/or
physical transformations. A reaction may release or absorb energy, and a phase change may do the
same, such as in melting and boiling.

Who is the father of thermochemistry?

Germain Henri Hess was a Swiss-Russian chemist and doctor who formulated Hess’s law, an early
principle of thermochemistry.

How is thermochemistry used in everyday life?

Thermochemistry is really important for our everyday life. All types of vehicles that we use, cars,
motorcycles, trucks, ships, aero planes, and many other types work on the basis of second law of
thermodynamics and Carnot Cycle. They may be using petrol engine or diesel engine, but the law
remains the same.

What are the limitations of first law of thermochemistry?

Is that it does not say anything about the direction of flow of heat. It does not say anything whether the
process is a spontaneous process or not. The reverse process is not possible. In actual practice, the heat
doesn’t convert completely into work.

Give the different principles in thermochemistry?

Two fundamental principles of thermochemistry are: (i) the energy change associated with any process
is equal and opposite to the reverse process (due to Laplace), and (ii) the energy change for a series of
stepwise processes or reactions is the same as that of the entire process (Hess’ law).

What are the different misconceptions about thermochemistry?

Power and energy are different. Power refers to the amount of energy that is consumed in a period of
time, and since work is a form of energy in transit, we can also say that power is the amount of work
performed per unit time.

• Heat and temperature are different. Temperature is a measurement of the kinetic energy; whereas,
heat is a form of energy in transit (a temperature difference is the driving force behind this transference
of energy).

• The fancy name “first law of thermodynamics” refers in fact to the law of conservation of energy (they
are the same).

• To avoid calculation mistakes, keep in mind the convention: a negative sign applies every time the
system loses energy, and a positive sign when the system gains energy.