Starters for 10

6. Thermodynamics

6.1. Definitions

6.2. Calorimetry

6.3. Hess’s law

6.4. Using bond enthalpies

Thermodynamics answers

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Starters for 10
6. Thermodynamics
6.1 Definitions

Complete the gaps in the boxes below;

Standard enthalpy change, H⦵

Definition; The heat energy change at ………...…................................................................................................ under

standard conditions (pressure ………...…...................... ; temperature ................................... ).

(2 marks)

Standard molar enthalpy change of formation, Hf⦵

Definition; The enthalpy change when one mole………...…........................................................................................

………...…...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

………...…...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

e.g. Hf⦵ (NH3); 1/2 N2(g) + 3/2 H2(g) → NH3(g) (3 marks)

Standard molar enthalpy change of combustion, ………..

Definition; The enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is completely burned in excess
oxygen under standard conditions, all reactants and products in their standard states.

e.g. Hc⦵ (C4H10); ………...…...............................................................................................................

(3 marks)

Mean bond energy

Definition; The ………...….....................................................................................................................................................................

………...…...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

………...…...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

(2 marks)

This resource “new name”, is a derivative of “Starters for ten – 6. Thermodynamics” by The Royal Society of Chemistry used under CC-
BY-NC-SA 4.0. “new name” is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 by “name of user”.
Starters for 10
6. Thermodynamics
6.2 Calorimetry

Below is a student’s write up of the calorimetry practical he recently completed in class. There are 10
ways in which the teacher thinks he could have improved his experimental technique and analysis. Can
you spot them?

Measuring the enthalpy change for the neutralisation of one mole of NaOH by H2SO4

Method
2 NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O

100 cm3 of a 1 mol dm-3 solution of NaOH was placed

in a 250 cm3 beaker and the temperature recorded every
minute for two minutes using the equipment shown in
the diagram. On the second minute, a solution of 1 mol
dm-3 H2SO4 was removed from the fridge and 50 cm3
added to the beaker. The temperature of the mixture was
recorded on the third minute and repeated every minute
for a further 12 min.
Results
Time / min Temp / C
1 16
2 17
3 19.8
4 21.9
5 21.2
6 20.7
7 20.2 T
8 19.9 4.4 C
9 19.6
10 19.3
11 19
12 18.7
13 18.4
14 18.1
15 17.8

Q = mCT m = 100 cm3 @ 1 g cm−3 = 100 g  Q = 100 g x 4.18 J g-1 K-1 x 4.4 C
C = 4.18 J g-1 K-1 = 1839.2 J
T = 4.4 K
No. of moles of NaOH = 100 cm3 x 1 mol dm-3 = 0.1 mole
1000 cm3 dm-3

 Enthalpy change per mole of NaOH reacting = 1 x 1839.2 J = 18392 J mol-1

0.1 mole = 18.4 kJ mol-1

This resource “new name”, is a derivative of “Starters for ten – 6. Thermodynamics” by The Royal Society of Chemistry used under CC-
BY-NC-SA 4.0. “new name” is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 by “name of user”.
Starters for 10
6. Thermodynamics
6.3 Hess’s law

This question is all about the possible fuels you might come across when going camping. Use your
knowledge of Hess’s law to investigate the energetics of the processes involved.

1. One form of camping stove runs on the fuel butane. Along with other isomers this contains the gas iso-
butane or 2-methylpropane.
(a) The enthalpy change of formation of iso-butane is –134.5 kJ mol−1. Write an equation, including
state symbols, for the reaction to which this enthalpy change applies. (2 marks)

...............................................................................................................................................................

(b) In a camping stove, the iso-butane undergoes combustion. Write an equation to represent the
enthalpy change of combustion of iso-butane in excess oxygen. (2 marks)

...............................................................................................................................................................

(c) Using the answers to part (i) and part (ii) together with the information in the table below, calculate
Hc⦵ for iso-butane. (2 marks)

Standard enthalpy of
Compound
formation / kJ mol−1

CO2 (g) –394

H2O (g) –242

2. An alternative to a gas camping stove is a Trangia™. This burns methylated spirits which is
predominantly ethanol with additives to make it more poisonous or unpalatable.

(a) Write an equation to represent the enthalpy change of formation of ethanol (CH 3CH2OH)

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)
(b) Use the information in the table together with Hess’s law to calculate Hf⦵ for ethanol.

(2 marks)

Standard enthalpy of
Compound combustion
/ kJ mol−1

C (s) –394

H2 (g) –242

CH3CH2OH (l) –1367

This resource “new name”, is a derivative of “Starters for ten – 6. Thermodynamics” by The Royal Society of Chemistry used under CC-
BY-NC-SA 4.0. “new name” is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 by “name of user”.
Starters for 10
6. Thermodynamics
6.4 Using bond enthalpies

1. A student is carrying out a project to compare the

Mean bond
theoretical and experimental value for the enthalpy change Bond
enthalpy / kJ mol−1
of combustion of ethanol. Using the data in the table,
calculate a theoretical value for Hc⦵ [CH3CH2OH(l)]. C―C 347

(HINT Remember to fully balance any equations before C―H 413

starting your calculations) (4 C―O 358
marks)
O―H 464
O=O 498
C=O 805

2. When the student shows his calculation to his teacher, she points out that mean bond enthalpies are
only applicable for molecules in the gas state. Therefore the student must take into account the enthalpy
change of vaporisation of ethanol [CH3CH2OH(l) → CH3CH2OH(g), Hvap +39 kJ mol−1).

Use this value to correct your answer to Q1 (You may assume that the water formed from the
combustion is in the gas state). (1 mark)

3. The student now wishes to determine an experimental value for the enthalpy of combustion of ethanol.
He intends to burn approximately 1 g of fuel and measure the heat energy produced by heating up a
known volume of water in a copper calorimeter (using the equipment shown).

Using your answer to question 2, suggest a suitable volume of water for the copper calorimeter if he is
aiming for a temperature rise of no more than 40 C?
(Specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 J K−1 g−1) (4 marks)

4. The experimental value obtained by the student is considerably lower than the theoretical value
calculated. Suggest one reason for this (other than experimental error). (1 mark)

This resource “new name”, is a derivative of “Starters for ten – 6. Thermodynamics” by The Royal Society of Chemistry used under CC-
BY-NC-SA 4.0. “new name” is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 by “name of user”.