ENERGY

AND
CHEMICAL
CHANGE
(GRADE 11)
 WHAT LEARNERS MUST KNOW:

 When a reaction occurs, bonds in the reactants break and new bonds in the products
form. These changes involve energy.

 When bonds break, energy is absorbed and when new bonds form, energy is
released.

 The bond energy is a measure of bond strength in a chemical bond. It is the amount
of energy (in kJ·mol−1) that is needed to break the chemical bond between two atoms.

 Enthalpy is a measure of the total energy of a chemical system for a given pressure
and is given the symbol H.

 If the energy that is needed to break the bonds is less than the energy that is released
when new bonds form, then the reaction is exothermic. The energy of the products is
less than the energy of the reactants.

 An exothermic reaction is one that releases energy in the form of heat or light.

 If the energy that is needed to break the bonds is more than the energy that is released
when new bonds form, then the reaction is endothermic. The energy of the products
is greater than the energy of the reactants.

 An endothermic reaction is one that absorbs energy in the form of heat or light.

 Photosynthesis and the thermal decomposition of limestone are both examples of

endothermic reactions.

 Combustion reactions and respiration are both examples of exothermic reactions.

 The difference in energy between the reactants and the product is called the heat of
reaction and has the symbol ΔH.

 ΔH is calculated using: ΔH =E prod −E react

 In an endothermic reaction, ΔH is a positive number (greater than 0). In an

exothermic reaction, ΔH will be negative (less than 0).

 Chemical reactions will not take place until the system has some minimum amount of
energy added to it.

 The activation energy is the minimum amount of energy that is needed to start a
chemical reaction.

 The activated complex (or transition state) is the complex that exists as the bonds in
the products are forming and the bonds in the reactants are breaking. This complex
exists for a very short period of time and is found when the energy of the system is at
its maximum.

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THE MECHANISM OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS

The steps that atoms go through as their arrangement change from reactants to products is
known as the MECHANISM of the reaction.

On the microscopic level a number of steps are essential before a reaction will occur.
The model used to explain reaction mechanism is THE COLLISION THEORY.

The collision theory

Kinetic theory

All materials consist of small particles (atoms, molecules, ions) that are in continuous random
motion. Particles collide with each other and the sides of the container.

Collision theory

According to the collision theory a reaction will take place only if the following three
requirements are met:
1. Reacting molecules have to collide (effectively) with each other.
2. Reacting molecules have to collide with sufficient energy.
3. Reacting molecules have to collide with the correct orientation so that rearrangement
of atoms can take place.

Collisions on their own are therefore not enough for a reaction to take place. Only effective
collisions i.e. collisions during which particles have enough energy, as well as the correct
orientation, will lead to a reaction.

Effective collisions

Effective collisions are collisions between molecules with a certain required orientation, and
with sufficient energy.

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A. Reacting particles have to have enough energy

A collision between reacting particles will lead to a reaction only if the particles have a
minimum energy, the activation energy (Ea). Activation energy varies from reaction to
reaction.
Potential energy

Activation energy, Ea

Reactants

H
Products

Progress of reaction
Figure 1: Potential energy diagram for an exothermic reaction

 If particles with energy lower than the activation energy collide, no reaction will take
place.
 Only collisions with energies equal to or greater than the activation energy will lead to a
reaction.
 Any chemical reaction occurs with bond breaking (energy needed) and bond formation
(energy released).
 Activation energy is involved with the initial breaking of bonds.

B. Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions

Know these Definitions:

ACTIVATION ENERGY - the difference in energy between the reactants and the activated
complex.
Ea - is measured in kJ/mol.
Ea - is also referred to as the minimum amount of energy required for a molecule to react.
HEAT OF REACTION (ΔH) - is the difference in energy between reactants and products.
ΔH - is the net amount of energy absorbed or released during a chemical reaction.
ΔH - is the change in enthalpy.
ΔH = Energy products – Energy reactants
ΔH - is measured in kJ/mol
ΔH > 0 for endothermic reactions
ΔH < 0 for exothermic reactions

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C. THE ACTIVATED COMPLEX

All reactions need energy to start. The reacting atoms must pass over an “energy hill” to
change from reactants to products. The transition state that atoms must pass through is called
the ACTIVATED COMPLEX.

The Activated Complex is an unstable structure where bonds are forming and breaking at the
same time.

Endothermic reactions are reactions in which the energy needed during bond breaking is
greater than energy released during bond formation.

 Endothermic reactions absorb more energy than is released, therefore the energy of the
products is greater than the energy of the reactants.
 Because this energy is absorbed from the surrounding area, the container in which the
reaction takes place cools down.
 Therefore, the temperature of the reaction mixture decreases.

Exothermic reactions are reactions in which the energy needed during bond breaking is
lower than energy released during bond formation.

 Exothermic reactions release more energy than is absorbed, therefore the energy of the
products is less than the energy of the reactants.
 Because this energy is released into the surrounding area, the container in which the
reaction takes place gets hot.
 Therefore, the temperature of the reaction mixture increases.

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D. POTENTIAL ENERGY (EP) DIAGRAMS showing the changes in the potential
energy of the reacting substances during the reaction.

FIGURE 2: Exothermic reaction

In an exothermic reaction the energy products is less than the energy of the reactants.

FIGURE 3: Endothermic reaction

In an endothermic reaction the energy of products is greater than the energy of the
reactants.

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E. The effect of a catalyst on the potential energy diagrams

NB: The influence of a catalyst on a chemical reaction and how it relates to the collision
theory will be discussed in GRADE 12 on factors affecting rates of chemical reactions.

However, the following facts are important to consider when highlighting the effect of a
catalyst on the potential energy diagrams.

The facts:

 A catalyst is a substance which is added to a reaction mixture in order to increase the rate
of reaction occurring in the mixture.
 The catalyst participates in the reaction, but is regenerated continually as the reaction
occurs.
 It is not used up. It does not change the reaction stoichiometry of a reaction.
 Catalysts do not cause a reaction to take place that wouldn’t have taken place already.
 Catalysts take part in the reaction but remain overall unchanged.
 Provides an alternative route for the reaction with lower activation energy.
 Catalysts do not change the ∆H of a reaction.
 Catalysts do not affect the amount of product formed, only the speed at which these
products are obtained.

Figure 4: A catalyst supplies an alternative route of lower activation energy

Activation energy without catalyst

Potential energy

Activation energy with catalyst

Reactants

Products

Progress of reaction

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WORKSHEET 1: ENERGY AND CHEMICAL CHANGE

QUESTION 1:

State whether energy is taken in or released in each of the following situations:

1.1 The bond between hydrogen and chlorine in a molecule of hydrogen chloride breaks.
1.2 A bond is formed between hydrogen and fluorine to form a molecule of hydrogen
fluoride.
1.3 A molecule of nitrogen (N2) is formed.
1.4 A molecule of carbon monoxide breaks apart.

QUESTION 2:

State whether the following descriptions are used to describe an endothermic or an

exothermic reaction:

2.1 Reactants react to give products and energy.

2.2 The energy that must be absorbed to break the bonds in the reactants is greater than
the energy that is released when the products form.
2.3 The energy of the products is found to be greater than the energy of the reactants for
this type of reaction.
2.4 Heat or light must be absorbed from the surroundings before this type of reaction
takes place

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QUESTION 3

In each of the following reactions, say whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic,
and give a reason for your answer. Draw the resulting energy graph for each reaction.

3.1 H2(g) + I2 (g)→ 2HI (g) + 21 kJ⋅mol −1

3.2 CH 4 (g) + 2O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g) ΔH = −802 kJ⋅mol−1

3.3 The following reaction takes place in a flask:

Ba(OH)2 .8H2O (s)+2NH4 NO3 (aq)→Ba(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NH3 (aq) + 10H2O (l)

Within a few minutes, the temperature of the flask drops by approximately 20°C.

3.4 2Na(aq) + Cl2(aq) → 2NaCl (aq) ΔH = −411 kJ⋅mol−1

3.5 C (s) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g) H<0

QUESTION 4

For each of the following descriptions, say whether the process is endothermic
or exothermic and give a reason for your answer.
4.1 Evaporation
4.2 The combustion reaction in a car engine
4.3 Bomb explosions
4.4 Melting ice
4.5 Digestion of food
4.6 Condensation

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WORKSHET 2

QUESTION 1:

Refer to the graph below and then answer the questions that follow:

1.1 Calculate ΔH.

1.2 Is the reaction endothermic or exothermic and why?
1.3 Calculate the activation energy for this reaction.

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QUESTION 2

2.1 Carbon reacts with water according to the following equation:

C(s) + H2O (g) → CO (g) + H2 (g) ΔH>0

Is this reaction endothermic or exothermic? Give a reason for your answer.

2.2 Refer to the graph below and then answer the questions that follow:

2.2.1 What is the energy of the reactants?

2.2.2 What is the energy of the products?
2.2.3 Calculate ΔH.
2.2.4 What is the activation energy for this reaction?

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QUESTION 3

The cellular respiration reaction is catalysed by enzymes. The equation for the reaction is:

C6 H12 O6 (s) + 6O2 (g) → 6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l)

The change in potential energy during this reaction is shown below:

3.1 Will the value of ΔH be positive or negative? Give a reason for your answer.
3.2 Explain what is meant by activation energy.
3.3 Glucose is one of the reactants in cellular respiration. What important chemical
reaction produces glucose?
3.4 Is the reaction in your answer above an endothermic or an exothermic one? Explain
your answer.
3.5 Draw the energy graph for the reaction that produces glucose.

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 QUESTION 4

Sakhile prepared hydrogen gas by adding dilute hydrochloric acid to zinc granules
in a test tube. He observed that the test tube became hot as the reaction proceeded.
The equation for the reaction is:

Zn (s) + 2HCℓ(aq)  ZnCℓ2 (aq) + H2 (g)

4.1 Draw the following axes in your answer book:

4.2 Using this set of axes, now draw a graph of the potential energy versus the
reaction co-ordinate that shows the change in energy for the above reaction.

4.3. Indicate the following on the graph in 4.2:

(a) Activation energy (Ea) for the forward reaction
(b) H for the forward reaction

4.4 The reaction between nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide is represented below.

NO2(g) + CO(g) → NO(g) + CO2(g) ∆H = -226 kJ

The activation energy for the reaction, Ea, is 132 kJ.

4.4.1 Sketch a potential energy versus reaction coordinate graph for this reaction.
Label the axes and indicate the following on your graph:

∆H = -226 kJ

Ea = 132 kJ

QUESTION 5

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A group of learners perform three investigations (A, B and C) to study three factors which
affect the rate of chemical reactions. They use the reaction between solid calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) and excess hydrochloric acid (HCℓ) solution, represented by the balanced equation
below, in all three investigations.

CaCO3(s) + 2HCℓ(aq) → CaCℓ2(aq) + H2O(ℓ) + CO2(g)

The graph below shows changes in the potential energy for the reaction between
calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid.
Potential energy (kJ)

Course of reaction

5.1 Is this reaction endothermic or exothermic? Give a reason for the answer.

5.2 Use the relevant energy values, A, B and C, to write down an expression
for each of the following:

(a) The energy of the activated complex

(b) ∆H for the forward reaction

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