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Energetics

For the reaction 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g), i.e. 2H–H(g) + O=O(g) → 2H–O–H(g), with
bond energies: H–H = +432 kJmol–1, O=O = +498 kJmol–1, O–H = +467 kJmol–1, ∆H
= [2(+432) + (498)] – [4(+467)] = +1362 – 1868 = -506 kJ.

Gaseous atoms 4H(g) + 2O(g)

energy

energy
Energy
absorbed Energy +1362 kJ
to break released
Reactants bonds – 1868 kJ
to form
∆H= – ve bonds ∆H= – 506 kJ
Products

Reaction progress Reaction progress

For an exothermic reaction, energy absorbed to break all the bonds in the reactants is
less than energy released to form all the bonds in the products.
An energy profile diagram for an endothermic reaction is shown below.
For the reaction N2(g) + O2(g) → 2NO(g), i.e. N≡N(g) + O=O(g) → 2N=O(g), with bond
energies: N≡N = +945 kJmol–1, O=O = +498 kJmol–1, N=O = +607 kJmol–1, ∆H =
+945 + 498 – 2(+607) = +1443 – 1214 = +229 kJ.

Gaseous atoms 2N(g) + 2O(g)

energy

energy

Energy
Energy released –1214 kJ
absorbed to form
to break Products bonds +1443 kJ 2N=O
bonds
∆H= + ve ∆H= +229 kJ
Reactants N  N  OO

Reaction progress Reaction progress

For an endothermic reaction, energy absorbed to break all the bonds in the reactants is more
than energy released to form all the bonds in the products.

Example 1.
Given the following bond enthalpies.
Bond F–F N–N N–H N≡N H–F
Energy 158 163 390 945 563

Calculate the energy change for the reaction: N2H4(g) + 2F2(g) → N2(g) + 4HF(g).
Solution.
H H
N–N + 2F – F → N ≡ N + 4H – F.
H H
{Sum of bonds broken in reactants} – {sum of bonds formed in products}
{4E(N – H) + E(N – N) + 2E(F – F)} – {E(N ≡ N) + 4E(F – F)}
{4(390) + (163) + 2(158)} – {(945) + 4(563)}
=> (1560 +163 + 316) – (945 + 2252) => 2039 – 3197 = -1158 kJ.
=> H = -1158kJ.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2023-2024 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N
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Energetics

Example 2.
Given the following bond enthalpies and on the below.

Bond C–H O=O C=O H–O N–H C=N

Energy 413 497 805 465 391 615

(a) Calculate the enthalpy change of combustion of methane using the bond energies.
H
O=O H–O–H
H—C—H +  O=C=O +
O=O H–O–H
H
(b) Given the equation for the reaction between propanone and hydroxylamine below.
O–H

– –
H O H H H N H
–
–

–
––

H–C–C–C–H + H–N–O–H → H–C–C–C–H + H–O–H

–

–
H H H H
(i) Why are bond energies C – H, C – C and N – O bonds not given on the table?
(ii) Calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction:
(CH3)2CO + NH2OH → (CH3)2C=NOH + H2O.
(iii) In the laboratory, would you expect the condensation reaction between propanone;
(CH3)2CO and hydroxylamine (NH2OH) to be carried out by cooling or heating? Explain?

Miscellaneous Act:

(a) Calculate the energy needed to dissociate methane to graphite and hydrogen gas using
the data below. E(C – H) = +413 kJmol–1, E(H – H) = +436 kJmol–1, H
–1
[C(graphite)] = +715 kJmol ,
(b) Calculate the energy needed to dissociate methane to graphite and hydrogen gas using
the data below H [CH4(g)] = +1665 kJmol–1, H [C(graphite)] = +715 kJmol-1, H
[½H2(g)] = +218 kJmol–1.
(c) The I – I bond energy in iodine molecule is +150 kJmol–1 and the atomisation of iodine is
+106 kJmol–1.
(i) Calculate the standard enthalpy change of sublimation of iodine.
(ii) Suggest a reason why your calculated value in (c) (i) above is most likely to be less
than the experimental value.
(d) Given the following bond energies.

Bond C–H C–C O=O C≡O O–H C=O H–H C=C

Energy/kJmol–1 413 347 498 1071 463 799 432 612

Calculate the enthalpy change for each reaction below.

(i) 2C2H6(g) + 7O2(g) → 4CO2(g) + 6H2O(g).
(ii) CO(g) + H2O(g) → CO2(g) + H2(g).
(iii) CH3CH=CH2(g) + 9/2O2(g) → 3CO2(g) + 3H2O(g).
(iv) 3C(s) + 4H2(g) → C3H8(g). Ans = -103kJmol–1.
(v) Al2O3(g) + 3Mg(s) → 3MgO(s) + 2Al(s). Ans = -129.4kJmol–1.
H [Al2O3(s)] = -1675.7 kJmol-1. H [MgO(s)] = -601.7 kJmol-1.
(e) Would you expect a value for the KF bond energy to be found in books of data? Explain.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2023-2024 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N