Solutions

CALCULATING ENTHALPY CHANGE OF COMBUSTION

STEP 1:
Calculate the heat lost or gained using q = mcΔT
Convert Joules to kilojoules

STEP 2:
Calculate number of moles of one of fuel that caused the
enthalpy change, from the mass that reacted
 use n = mass ÷ Molar mass

STEP 3:
Calculate ΔHc (in kJmol-1) using actual heat change (q in kJ) and
number of moles of fuel that burned (n)
Use equation: ΔHc = q ÷ n
CALCULATING ENTHALPY CHANGE OF COMBUSTION

E.g. 1.16g of a fuel is burned in oxygen raising the temp of 100g

of water from 295.3K to 357.8K. Mr of the fuel is 58. Calculate
ΔHc

Step 1:
q = mcΔT = 100 x 4.18 x (357.8 – 295.3) = 26125J = 26.125kJ

Step 2:
n = mass ÷ Mr = 1.16 ÷ 58 = 0.02 moles of fuel

Step 3:
ΔHc = q ÷ n = 26.125 ÷ 0.02 = -1306 kJmol-1