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Chemical Energetics

The study of energy changes in chemical reactions is called chemical energetics.

Every process in this universe, whether it is in living cells, test tubes, atmosphere
water, or e to produce new raw material involves a change in energy. Some processes
release energy, others require energy. Ma chemical reactions produce huge amounts of
energy, which is used such as iron, steel, copper, aluminum, etc. Energy is also used to
transform these new t buildings, bridges and many objects.

ENERGY IN CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Energy in the form of heat is developed or absorbed as a result of a chemical reaction.

This is because in a chemical reaction old bonds are broken and new bonds are
formed.

Breaking bonds always consumes energy and binding always releases energy.

If the energy released in forming bond is greater than the energy expended in breaking
the bond, there is a net release of chemical energy.

On the other hand, if energy absorbed in breaking a bond greater than the energy
released in forming the bond. There is net absorption of energy.

Thus, during chemical reactions, energies exchanged with the surroundings.

System and Surroundings

The part of the universe that we want to focus our attention on is called a system. The
rest of t universe is called the environment or surroundings.

In chemistry, a system is usually a substance that undergo change physically or

chemically.

For example, when studying the reaction of limestone and hydrochloric acid solution
in a test tube, limestone and hydrochloric acid solution form a system. The test t and
everything around the test tube is the environment. Similarly, when studying the them
decomposition of a compound, the sample of the compound would be the system.
While beaker, heat source, and everything else would be the environment.
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THERMOCHEMICAL REACTIONS

A chemical reaction which proceeds with evolution or absorption of heat is called a

thermochemical reaction.

When a chemical change takes place, energy is exchanged between system and its
surround.

Energy has many forms such as heat, light, work etc. A balanced chemical equation
which also shows heat change of a chemical reaction equation.

The branch of chemistry which deals with the heat or thermal energy change of
chemical reactions is called thermochemistry.

For example

C(s) + O2(g)  CO2(g) ΔH= -393.5kJ

There are two types of thermochemical reactions.

Exothermic Reactions

A chemical reaction that proceeds with the evolution of heat is called an exothermic
reaction.

In an exothermic reaction the chemical system transfers energy the reactants are
converted to products

Example

(1) C(5) +02(g) → CO2(g) ΔH° = - 393.5kJ

(ii) 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O (l) ΔH° = -571.6kJ

(iii) C(s) + 1/2O2(g) → CO(g) ΔH° = -110.5kJ

Endothermic Reactions:

A chemical reaction that proceeds with the absorption of heat is called an endothermic
reaction.

In these reactions heat is transferred from surrounding to the system.

Examples:
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i. H2(g) +12(g)  2HI(g) ΔH° = +53.8kJ

ii. C(s) +H₂O(g)  CO (g) + H2(g) ΔH = +131.4kJ
iii. N2(g)+O2(g)  2NO (g) ΔH° = +180.5kJ

Classify the following processes as exothermic or endothermic.

(a) Freezing of water Exothermic

(b) Combustion of methane Exothermic
(c) Sublimation of dry ice Endothermic
(d) H₂O(g) - H₂O (1) Endothermic
(e) decomposition of limestone. Exothermic

ENTHALPY OF REACTION

The amount of heat or thermal energy evolved or absorbed in a chemical reaction is

called enthalpy of reaction.

Its sign is negative for exothermic and positive for endothermic reactions.

Enthalpy of reaction measured at 25°C (or 298K) and one atmospheric pressure is
known as standard enthalpy change. It is denoted by ΔΗ°.

(i) C(s) + O2(g)  CO2(g) ΔH° = -393.5kJ

(ii) H2(g) +12(g)  2HI(g) ΔH° = +53.8kJ

BOND ENERGY AND BOND DISSOCIATION ENERGY

When a chemical reaction occurs, old bonds are broken and new bonds are formed.
Breaking bonds always requires energy, and forming a bond always releases energy.

Bond Dissociation Energy

The amount of energy required to break one mole of a particular bond to form neutral
atoms is called the bond dissociation energy.
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The amount of energy released when neutral atoms form one mole of a bond is called
bond energy.

The difference between the bond dissociation energy and the bond energy determines
whether the reaction absorbs or released in bond breaking

Enthalpy Change

The enthalpy Change in a chemical reaction is the sum of energies absorbed and
released in bond breaking and bond formation.

ΔH° = Sum of bond dissociation energies of reactants - Sum of bond forming

energies of products

Activation Energy

The minimum amount of energy that, in addition to the average kinetic energy,
particles must have an effective collisions is
called the activation energy.

Process: Chemical reactions involve the

breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
These changes are accompanied by changes
in energies. Collision theory was proposed
to explain the observed reaction kinetics.

Collision theory: For a chemical reaction to

occur, the bonding atoms or molecules must
collide with each other. These collisions can be effective or ineffective depending on
the energy and direction of the colliding particles.

An effective collision can only occur if the energy of the colliding particles is high
enough to overcome the repulsion between the electrons around the reacting particles.
The correct orientation means that at the moment of collision, the atoms needed to
form new bonds must collide with each other.
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No reaction occurs if the energy of the reacting particles is lower than the activation
energy. Thus, the speed of a reaction depends on its activation energy. The higher the
activation energy, the lower the reaction rate.

For example,

the reaction between A, and B, molecules.

Figure 133

CATALYST

A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction, but remains chemically unchanged at

the end of the reaction, is called a catalyst, and the
phenomenon is called catalysis.

Many industrial reactions are carried out at high

temperatures over a period of time to maximize the
amount of product that can be synthesized. At High
temperature reactions cause safety problems and
many chemicals are not stable at high temperatures.
So it would be useful to use another method to
increase the speed of the chemical reactions.

Another way to increase the speed of reaction rate

is to change this mechanism in way that lowers the
activation energy. This can be done by adding a
catalyst.

The catalyst provides a new mechanism for the reaction with low activation energy
(Figure). Thus, a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction by lowering its activation
energy. The catalyst does not affect the overall thermodynamics or enthalpy of the
reaction. In the bodies of living organisms enzymes catalyze chemical reactions.
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RESPIRATION

Respiration is a biochemical process in which energy is released from food in a

biological system.

Respiration is an exothermic reaction. During this process, glucose is oxidized in the

body of living organisms and energy is released.

There are two types of respiration processes.

1. Aerobic respiration:

Respiration that requires oxygen to break down glucose to release energy is called
aerobic respiration.

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + water + Energy

2. Anaerobic respiration:

Respiration that does not require oxygen to break down glucose to release energy is
called anaerobic respiration.

Glucose → Lactic acid + Energy

Aerobic respiration releases more energy than anaerobic respiration.

Lipids are important substances for building our body. They also act as reserve energy
sources. Lipids can store large amounts of energy in our body. When you exercise
intensely, the oxidation of glucose is not enough for energy. At this stage, lipids are
oxidized for energy.