First Law of

Thermodynamics
Prepared by: Clarisen A. Laog
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First Law of Thermodynamics

States that energy is neither created nor

destroyed but is converted to another form
Similar to the law of conservation of energy
The change in internal energy is also related
to the energy exchanges that occurs as q
and w.
∆𝑬 = 𝒒 + 𝒘
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In solving problems, the following sign convention must be used:

Energy entering a Energy leaving a

system is positive
 Heat absorbed by the
system (+)
 Work done on the
system (+)
system is negative
 Heat given off by the
system (-)
 Work done by the
system (-)
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Sample Problem

What is the change in internal

energy of a system that absorbs
523 J of heat and does 452 J of
work as a result?
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Given:
q= + 523J
w= -452 J
Unknown : ∆𝐸
∆𝐸 = 𝑞 + 𝑤
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∆𝐸 = 𝑞 + 𝑤
∆𝐸 = 523 J + (-425 J)
∆𝐸 = 98 J

The internal energy increases since more

heat is absorbed than work done.
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Sample Problem
The internal energy of a system
increases by 20 J and the quantity
of work done on a system is 50 J. Is
the heat absorbed or given off? by
how much?
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Given: ∆𝐸 = 20 J
w= + 50 J
Unknown= q
∆𝐸 = q + w
q= ∆𝐸 –w
Q= -30J
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 San Antonio de Padua College

Thermochemical Equations
• The amount of heat released or
absorbed when specified amounts of
substances react.
• The balanced equation showing the
associated heat of reaction
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San Antonio de Padua College
San Antonio de Padua College
 San Antonio de Padua College

Given : mass of 𝐶𝐻4 = 31.5 𝑔

Unknown= heat evolved

Heat evolved
1𝑚𝑜𝑙𝐶𝐻4 −890.4 𝑘𝐽
= 31.5 g 𝐶𝐻4 × × = -1.75 × 103 kJ
16 𝑔𝐶𝐻4 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝐶𝐻4
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Given: mass of 𝑁𝐻3 = 65.3 g
Unknown: heat evolved

Heat evolved
1𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑁𝐻3 −904𝑘𝐽
= 65.3 g 𝑁𝐻3 × ×
17 𝑔𝑁𝐻3 4𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑁𝐻3

= −868 𝑘𝐽
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San Antonio de Padua College
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Solution: Adding the two reactions will give the

desired net reaction. Hence, ∆𝐻0 is the sum of the
two ∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛
0
.

𝑁2 + 𝑂2 → 2𝑁𝑂 0
∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 = 181 kJ

2𝑁𝑂 +𝑂2 → 2𝑁𝑂 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 =

0
-113 kJ
𝑁2 +2𝑂2 → 2𝑁𝑂 0
∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 = 68 kJ