ACTIVITY SHEET IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY 2

LC: Explain enthalpy of a reaction

LECTURE:
Thermochemical equation indicates the physical state of the reactants and products involved in the reaction. Also,
it shows the value and direction of heat involved in a reaction.

Enthalpy (H) is a form of chemical energy. It is also indicating the amount of heat absorbed or released by
a chemical reaction at constant atmospheric pressure. Enthalpy of reaction (ΔH) is the difference between the
enthalpy of products and reactants.

ΔH= Hproducts – Hreactants

When the chemical reaction is endothermic, the ΔH is positive. And it is negative when the reaction is
exothermic. For example, consider this thermochemical equation.

2 CO(g) + O2(g) → 2 CO2(g) ΔH = −565 kJ

Is the reaction exothermic or endothermic? How much energy is given off or absorbed? By definition, a
chemical reaction that has a negative ΔH is exothermic, meaning 565 kJ is given off by the reaction.
The standard molar enthalpy of reaction (ΔHorxn) can be calculated by subtracting the sum (Σ) of the
enthalpies of formation of the products and the sum (Σ) of the enthalpies of formation of the reactants. For example,
consider the combustion of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water. Make sure the chemical equation is
balanced before performing any calculation because the coefficient is included in the computation.
CH4(g) + 2O2(g)  CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) ΔHorxn=?
Substance CH4(g) O2(g) CO2(g) H2O

ΔH0f(kJ/mol) -75 kJ/mol 0 kJ/mol -394 kJ/mol -242 kJ/mol

Solution:

ΣΔHorxn= ΣΔH0f (products) - ΣΔH0f (reactants)

ΣΔHorxn= [ΔH0f(CO2,g) + 2ΔH0f(H2O,g)] – [ΔH0f(CH4,g) + 2ΔH0f(O2,g)]

ΣΔHorxn= [(-394 kJ/mol) + 2(-242 kJ/mol)] – [(-75 kJ/mol) + 2(0 kJ/mol)]

ΣΔHorxn= -878 kJ/mol + 75 kJ/mol

ΣΔHorxn= -803 kJ/mol, the standard enthalpy of this combustion is exothermic.

ACTIVITY 2
A. Reflective Essay
Directions: In your own words, explain enthalpy of reaction. When is a reaction endothermic? When is a reaction
exothermic? Limit your answers up to 5 sentences only.

B. Problem Solving
Compute for the standard molar enthalpy of reaction given the balanced chemical equation and the data below.
Afterwards, identify if the reaction is endothermic or exothermic.

C2H5OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 3H2O ΔHorxn=?

Substance C2H5OH O2 CO2 H 2O

ΔH0f(kJ/mol) -278 kJ/mol 0 kJ/mol -393 kJ/mol -286 kJ/mol