PROF.

RAKESH RATHI’S CHEMISTRY TUTORIALS

iv) H for the reverse reaction is equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the value corresponding to the
o

forward reaction.
v) If the coefficient indicating the number of moles of all the substances in the thermochemical equation are
multiplied or divided by a numerical factor, the value of Ho must also be multiplied or divided by the same
factor

Types of heat of reaction

Standard enthalpy of formation (standard heat of formation) (fHo):
The standard enthalpy of formation of a compound is defined as the enthalpy change that accompanies a reaction
in which one mole of a substance in its standard state is formed from its elements also in their standard states.

e.g. H2(g) + ½ O2(g) → H2O(l), fHo = -286 kJ

Enthalpies of elements in their standard states is assumed to be zero

Thus, heat of formation of compounds or substance is equal to their enthalpies

Enthalpies of formation of different compounds help to predict their relative stabilities:

i) Only those compounds are more stable than their elements whose fHo values are negative
ii) Greater the magnitude of the negative fHo value, i.e., more is the energy released, more stable is the
compound.

Standard enthalpy of combustion (∆cHo)

The standard enthalpy of combustion of a substance is the standard enthalpy change accompanying a reaction in
which one mole of the substance in the standard state reacts completely with oxygen or is completely burnt.

5
e.g. C2H2(g) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2CO2(g) + H2O(l), ∆cHo = −1300 kJ
2
Heat of combustion is always negative

Different fuels and foods produce different amount of heat on combustion. These are usually expressed in terms
of their calorific values.
The calorific value of a fuel or food is the amount of heat in calories or joules produced from the complete
combustion of one gram of the fuel or the food

Complete combustion i.e. carbon to CO2, Hydrogen to H2O, nitrogen to elemental nitrogen, sulphur to SO2 and
phosphorous to P2O5

Standard enthalpy of Neutralization (∆NHo)

The enthalpy of neutralization is defined as the heat change (usually the heat evolved) when one gram equivalent
of the acid is neutralized by a base, the reaction being carried out in dilute aqueous solution.

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O, ∆NHo = -57.32 kJ mol-1

19