THERMOCHEMISTRY: HESS’ LAW

KAREN B. TARAPE
Teacher II
HESS’S LAW
• Provides an indirect method of determining heat
of reaction using as basis related chemical
reactions with previously determined values of
standard enthalpy (∆Ho)
• Used when direct measurement of enthalpy
change is not possible.
HESS’S LAW

“If a reaction is carried out in a series of

steps, DH for the overall reaction will be
equal to the sum of the enthalpy changes
for the individual steps.”
HESS’S LAW
Sometimes reactions can occur in steps rather than as single reaction
Example:
2C + H2 ---> C2H2
This reaction actually occurs in 3 steps:
C2H2 + 5/2 O2 → 2CO2 + H2O
C + O2 → CO2
H2 + ½ O2 → H2O

Regardless of the number of steps of a reaction, the total enthalpy

change for the reaction is the sum of all changes.
Steps in Solving Hess’s Law Problem
1. Circle the chemical formulas of interest in each step equation
2. Flip the step equations so all reactants and products are in the same
locations as in the reaction of interest. Remember to change the sign
of DH when you flip the equation.
3. Multiply step equations so coefficients match the equation of
interest. Remember to multiply DH also.
4. Cancel out chemical formulas that appear in both the reactant and
product sides of the step equations.
5. Sum all DH values of the step equations.
Sample Problem
Calculate the standard enthalpy of formation, ∆Ho
for methane gas, CH, produced from graphite and 4

hydrogen gas according to the following reaction:

C(graphite) + 2H2(g) CH4(g)

Formula of interest
Since this reaction that forms methane gas does not take place
as written, ∆Ho of methane is determined indirectly by using
the following set of reactions whose ∆Ho values have been
accurately determined and applying Hess’s Law.

Cgraphite + O2 CO2(g) ∆Ho = -393.5 kJ

H2(gas) + ½ O2(gas) H2O(l) ∆Ho = -285.8 kJ
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) ∆Ho = -890.4 kJ
Which equation needs to be flipped?

All equations whose reactants and products

are not on the same locations as in the
reaction of interest.
Which equation needs to be multiplied?

Equations whose coefficients that do not

match the equation of interest
Solution
To calculate the standard enthalpy of the given reaction, do the
following steps:
a. Circle the formulas of interest in each step of the reaction.
b. Write the equation 1 as is. (all reactants and products are in
the same locations as in the reaction of interest; coefficients
match the equation of interest)
c. Multiply reaction 2 by 2 including the value of ∆Ho
(Coefficients do not match the equation of interest)
Solution
To calculate the standard enthalpy of the given reaction, do the
following steps:
c. Rewrite reaction 3 in reverse direction and change the sign of
∆Ho from – to +. (reactants and products are not on the same
locations as in the reaction of interest)
d. Cancel out chemical formulas that appear in both the reactant
and product sides of the step equations.
e. Add equations and DH values algebraically.
 C(graphite) + 2H2(g) CH4(g)
Solution:
Write as
Write asisis
Multiply by 2
Flip

1. C (graphite) + O2(g) CO2 (g) ∆Ho = -393.5 kJ

2. 2H2 (g) + O2(g) 2H2O (l) ∆Ho = 2(-285.8 kJ)
3. CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l) CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) ∆Ho = +890.4 kJ
C (graphite) + 2H2 (g) CH4 (g) ∆Ho = -74.7 kJ
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2 04/08/2024