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CHM 1045 Worksheet 5.1
Thermodynamics – the basics
Learning objectives:
1) To understand and explain the relationships between heat, work, internal energy and
enthalpy.
2) Predict whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic.
3) Determine the sign and magnitude of internal energy based on heat and work.
4) Use thermochemical equations to predict the amount of heat released or absorbed.

Part 1: Forms of energy

Energy is defined as a capacity to do work or transfer heat. All forms of energy are either kinetic or
potential.
Kinetic energy is the energy that results from motion. It is calculated with the equation
KE = ½ mu2 m is mass in kg and u is velocity in m/s

Thermal energy is a form of kinetic energy associated with the random motion of atoms and
molecules. Temperature is a manifestation of thermal energy and changes in temperature reflect
changes in thermal energy.
Potential energy is the energy the energy possessed by an object by virtue of its position. It is
calculated with the equation
PE = mgh m is mass in kg, and g is gravitation 9.8 m/s2 and h is height in m

The two principal forms of potential energy are chemical energy and electrostatic energy. Chemical
energy is the energy stored in a molecule within its bonds. The magnitude is determined by the types
of atoms and the kinds of bonds between them. Electrostatic energy results from the interaction of
charged particles – within the atom these are the forces that hold the electrons to the nucleus and are
responsible for the nucleus being held together itself (like charges repel and unlike charges attract).
Other examples include a boulder on a mountainside, water behind a dam, a stretched spring.
Kinetic and potential energy are interconvertible – for example a combustion reaction converts the
energy present in the chemical bonds (potential energy) into heat (thermal or kinetic energy).

Energy can assume different forms that can be converted from one to the other, however the total
amount of energy in the universe remains constant. “The total energy of the universe is constant.
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be converted from one form to another”.
This is the law of conservation of energy, which is also called the first law of thermodynamics.
The internal energy of a system (U) is the sum of potential and kinetic energies of all the particles that
compose the system.

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Units of energy
The SI unit of energy is a joule, which is defined as the amount of energy possessed by a 2kg mass
moving at a speed of 1 m/s.
KE = ½ x (2 kg) x (1 m/s)2 = 1 kg.m2/s2 = IJ
A joule can also be defined as the amount of energy exerted when a force of 1 newton (N) is applied
over a distance of 1 meter (m).
1 J = 1 N.m (where 1 N = 1 kg.m/s2)
1kJ = 1000 J
1 kilowatt hour = 3.6 x 106 J

Another commonly used unit of energy is the calorie (cal). It is defined as the amount of energy
needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C.
1 cal = 4.184 J
You may be familiar with the term calorie from food labels. Please do not confuse calorie with the
Calorie that you see on the food labels.
1000 calories (cal) = 1 kilocalorie (kcal) = 1 nutritional Calorie (Cal)

A single cheeto has a mass of 1.8 g and contains 5.9 Calories. How many joules of energy does it
contain?

Useful Terminology:
System + Surroundings = Universe

System: A system is the specific part of the universe that is being investigated.
Surroundings: The surroundings are everything else in the universe outside of the system.
For example if we are studying an acid-base neutralization reaction, the system only includes the
molecules involved in the reaction. Everything else including the water the chemicals are dissolved in,
the beaker, the lab bench, the building etc. constitute part of the surroundings.

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In an Open system both energy and
matter can be exchanged with the
surroundings.
In a Closed system only energy can be
exchanged with the surroundings.
In an Isolated system neither energy nor
matter can be exchanged with the
surroundings.

Adiabatic process: A thermodynamic

process that occurs without any heat entering or leaving a system.

In an exothermic reaction heat is

(absorbed / released).

Therefore the sign on heat will be negative

In an endothermic reaction heat is

(absorbed / released).

Therefore the sign on heat will be positive

When bonds are formed, energy is released (precisely the same amount of energy which would be
required to break those bonds).

Thus the formation of bonds can be considered a _exothermic process.

Breaking bonds requires energy to pull the atoms apart.

Thus bond breaking can be considered a ___endothermic process.

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Identify each of the following reactions as endothermic or exothermic

Reaction Exothermic Sign

Or
Endothermic
steam condensing Exothermic negative

Ice melting Endothermic positive

Water freezes Exothermic negative

Tiny droplets of boiling water accidentally strike your skin Endothermic / skin positive

Two atoms combine to form a molecule (2Br (g) Br2 (g)) Exothermic Negative

an electron is removed from an atom (K (g) K+ (g) + e-) Endothermic Positive

an ionic compound is dissociated to produce two Endothermic Positive

ions ( NaCl (g) Na+ (g) + Cl - (g))
Calcium chloride is mixed with water, resulting in a very hot Exothermic / calcium Negative
solution is system/water
surrounding
Ammonium nitrate is mixed in water, resulting in a very cold Endothermic . Positive
solution ammonium is system/
water is surrounding
Sparks from a sparkler that strike your skin Endothermic / skin Positive

In each case below calculate the missing quantity in the table (recall ΔE = q+w):

q w ΔE

a. 100 J of heat flows in System does 40 J of E=Q+W

work 100-40 = 60 Joules
b. 200 J of heat is added No work is done E= 200 J – 0 = 200 Joules

c. 500 J of heat is added System does 350 J of E= 500 J – 350 = 150 Joules
work

d. 70 J of heat is removed 70 J of work is done to -70 joules + 70 joules = 0

from a gas compress the gas

e. -840 Expanding gas does 500 Internal energy increases

J of work by 340 J

f. No heat is added 40 J of work done to 0 + 40 = 40 joules

compress a gas

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PV work

In a chemical reaction, if the number of moles of gas increases,

∆V > 0
thus P∆V > 0 and work will w < 0
Work is done by the system on the surroundings
2N2O5 (g)2N2O4 (g) + O2 (g)

• In a chemical reaction, if the number of moles of gas decrease

∆V is negative
w = – P∆V thus work is positive.
• Work is done to the system
•

•
• N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g)

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Example problems

Is work being done on the system or is work being

done by the system? Why? Explain your answer.

When work is negative, then it means that work is done

by the system because when the system does work, it
loses energy and the volume increases. If work is
positive, then the work is being done on the system
because the system is absorbing energy and the volume
decreases.

Is work being done on the system or is work being

done by the system? Why? Explain your answer.

When work is positive, then the work is being done on the system because the
system is absorbing energy and the volume decreases.

Remember that E = q + w
When there are no gases present in the system, it cannot expand or contract (because solids, liquids and
solution cannot expand or contract). So at constant pressure, q is given a new term enthalpy (H)
q at constant pressure = H
So at constant pressure, when no work is being done
E = q at constant pressure = H