Lesson 2

Energetics/
Thermochemistry:
Hess’s Law
By: Dina Fitriana
Un d ers ta n d in g
The enthalpy change for a reaction that is
carried out in a series of steps is equal to the
sum of the enthalpy changes for the individual
steps.

Ap p l ica tion a n d S kil l s

1. Application of Hess’s Law to calculate the
enthalpy changes.
2. Calculation of ∆H reactions using ∆Hf0 data.
3. Determination of the enthalpy change of a
reaction that is the sum of multiple reactions
with known enthalpy changes.
 OV E R A L L A N D N E T R E AC T I O N

Regardless of the route by which a

chemical reaction proceeds, the
enthalpy change will always be the
same as long as the initial and final
states of the system are the same.

The total energy of the chemicals and their

surroundings must remain constant. In 1840
Germain Hess applied the Law of
Conservation of Energy to enthalpy
changes.
E nt ha l p y C y c l e s
• The enthalpy change of reaction for the
direct route is the same as for the
indirect route.
• We can use Hess’s Law to calculate
enthalpy changes that cannot be found
by experiments using calorimetry.
1. Enthalpy change of reaction from enthalpy
changes of formation

When we use Hess’s law, we see that:

We use the enthalpy changes of formation of

the reactants and products to calculate the
enthalpy change of the reaction.
1. Enthalpy change of reaction from enthalpy
changes of formation
1. Enthalpy change of reaction from enthalpy
changes of formation

To calculate the enthalpy change of reaction using

this type of enthalpy cycle we use the following
procedure:
• write the balanced equation at the top
• draw the cycle with elements at the bottom
• draw in all arrows, making sure they go in the
correct directions
• apply Hess’s law, taking into account the number
of moles of each reactant and product.
2. Enthalpy change of formation from
enthalpy changes of combustion

When we use Hess’s law, we see that:

We use the enthalpy changes of combustion of

the reactants and products to calculate the
enthalpy change of formation.
2. Enthalpy change of formation from
enthalpy changes of combustion
2. Enthalpy change of formation from
enthalpy changes of combustion

To calculate the enthalpy change of formation using

this type of enthalpy cycle we use the following
procedure:
• write the equation for enthalpy change of
formation at the top; add oxygen on both sides
of the equation to balance
• draw the cycle with the combustion products at
the bottom
• draw in all arrows, making sure they go in the
correct directions
• apply Hess’s law, taking into account the number
of moles of each reactant and product.
 3. Calculating the enthalpy change of
hydration of anhydrous salt

We use the enthalpy changes of solution to

complete the enthalpy cycle
Worked example: Calculating enthalpy change
Exercise 1. Calculating enthalpy change using
Hess’s Law(Discussion)
Exercise. Calculating enthalpy change
Exercise. Calculating enthalpy change using
standard enthalpy change of formation
(Discussion)
THANK YOU. J