Chem Reviewer

Before diving in!

Signs present in formulas Definition

“the change”
∆
∑ “the summation”

∆E the change in internal energy

q heat of the system

w work of the system

° the reaction is at the standard state (T = 25 degrees, 1 atm, etc.)

-P∆V pressure multiplied by volume

∆H the change in enthalpy

∆S The change in entropy

∆G the change in free energy

T temperature

Topic 1: 1st law of Thermodynamics

● The sum of kinetic and potential energies of all particles in the system is called the internal
energy (E).
● Net change is ∆E, does work is w, anything mentioning heat is q.

Formulas:

+ ∆𝐸 System gains energy

− ∆𝐸 System loses energy

+𝑞 System gains heat

−𝑞 System loses heat

+𝑤 Work is done on system

−𝑤 Work is done by system

Topic 2: Enthalpy Formulas:
● the sum of internal energy and -P∆V.
● w is equal to -P∆V.
Since that is true, then we can substitute:

∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 > 0 Absorbs heat from surroundings, endothermic

∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 < 0 Releases heat to surroundings, exothermic

Topic 3: Hess’s Law

The subscript f means formation and the superscript ° (degree sign) indicates standard states.
The symbol ∑ (sigma) means “the sum of”, and n and m are the stoichiometric coefficients of the
chemical equation.

Topic 4: Entropy/2nd Law

Entropy increases in any spontaneous
process, occurs on its own, no outside
assistance
Formula:
REMEMBER! qrev = ∆H

The ∆H of ∆Ssystem reverses (becomes negative) when used in

the formula for ∆Ssurroundings because it becomes the heat lost
by the system.

Applying Hess’s Law to Entropy =

Topic 5: Gibbs Free Energy

● The change in the free energy of a system at constant temperature and pressure
 ● T is ALWAYS Kelvin

Just like entropy and enthalpy, the standard

formation of ∆G can be used to find the
∆Grxn.

Topic 6, 7: Collision Theory and Factors

● Collision theory states that two
molecules react after colliding only
when the energy of the collision is
greater than the activation energy and
when the molecules are properly
oriented.
● Endothermic reactions have lower
potential energy for reactants than
products because they absorb energy
● Exothermic reactions have higher
potential energy for reactants than
products because they release energy

Concentration
● The bigger the amount of molecules in a reactant, the more chances collisions occur
Surface area
If the surface area of a reactant is increased: more particles are exposed to the other reactant, there
is a greater chance of particles colliding.
Catalysts
● A catalyst increases the rate of reaction but is not
consumed during the reaction
● It lowers the activation energy by providing another reaction
with lower activation energy but ΔG is the same.
Temperature
● increases the rate of reaction by increasing
kinetic energy in the system.