Energy Cycles In Reactions
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Lesson notes
Bond Enthalpy Basics
- Bond breaking is endothermic: energy must be supplied to overcome the attraction between atoms.
- Bond formation is exothermic: energy is released when new bonds form.
- The energy required to break a particular bond is called the bond dissociation enthalpy (or bond enthalpy).
- The energy released when a bond forms is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the energy needed to break it.
- If more energy is released than absorbed, the reaction is exothermic; products are more stable than reactants.
- If more energy is absorbed than released, the reaction is endothermic; products are less stable than reactants.
Average Bond Enthalpy
- Bond energies are affected by the molecular environment, so an average bond enthalpy is used.
- Average bond enthalpy is defined as the energy needed to break one mole of a specified type of bond in gaseous molecules, averaged over similar compounds.
- For example, the average C–H bond enthalpy in methane is found by dividing the total bond dissociation enthalpy by the number of C–H bonds.
- The first C–H bond is easier to break than the second because remaining hydrogens are pulled closer to the carbon.
- Average bond enthalpies are compared across similar compounds to obtain an accepted value.
Bond Enthalpy Calculations
- Use bond enthalpies to calculate ΔH when experimental measurement is not possible.
- Formula: ΔH = Σ(bonds broken) + Σ(bonds formed).
- Bonds broken: values are positive (endothermic); bonds formed: values are negative (exothermic).
- Always draw full displayed structures to account for every bond.
- Multiply bond enthalpies by coefficients from the balanced equation.
- Show all steps: bond enthalpy calculations often carry marks for working even if the final answer is wrong.
Hess's Law
- Formulated by Germain Hess in 1840; based on the law of conservation of energy.
- Hess's Law: The total enthalpy change in a chemical reaction is independent of the route taken, as long as initial and final conditions are the same.
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form; total energy in a closed system is constant.
- Used to calculate enthalpy changes that cannot be found experimentally, e.g., formation of propane from carbon and hydrogen.
- For a two-step route: ΔH₂ = ΔH₁ + ΔHᵣ, so ΔHᵣ = ΔH₂ − ΔH₁.
- You do not need to learn the law word for word, but you must understand the principle.
Hess's Law Calculations
- Two common methods: using cycles or using equations.
- In cycles: if you follow the direction of an arrow, add the quantity; if you go against the arrow, subtract the quantity.
- When using equations: reverse an equation → reverse the sign of ΔH; multiply an equation → multiply ΔH by the same factor.
- Always put brackets around values and add the mathematical operator in front to avoid sign errors.
- Cancel common terms on both sides after combining equations.
- Both methods are valid; choose the one that seems easier for the problem.
Calculating Enthalpy Changes Using ΔHf⦵
- Standard enthalpy of formation (ΔHf⦵) is the enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements under standard conditions.
- In a Hess cycle, elements are placed at the bottom; arrows point upwards from elements to compounds.
- General formula: ΔHᵣ = ΣΔHf⦵(products) − ΣΔHf⦵(reactants).
- ΔHf⦵ of an element in its standard state is zero.
- Multiply each ΔHf⦵ by the number of moles from the balanced equation.
- Enthalpy of formation data are provided in Section 13 of the Data Booklet.
Calculating Enthalpy Changes Using ΔHc⦵
- Standard enthalpy of combustion (ΔHc⦵) is the enthalpy change when one mole of a substance burns completely in oxygen under standard conditions.
- In a Hess cycle, combustion products are placed at the bottom; arrows point downwards.
- General formula: ΔHᵣ = ΣΔHc⦵(reactants) − ΣΔHc⦵(products).
- Combustion products of both reactants and products are placed at the bottom of the cycle.
- When going against the arrow direction, reverse the sign of the enthalpy value.
- Ensure the number of atoms of each element is balanced when drawing the cycle.
Born-Haber Cycles (HL)
- A Born–Haber cycle is a specialised Hess's Law cycle used to determine lattice enthalpy of ionic compounds.
- Lattice enthalpy (ΔHlatt) is the energy change when one mole of an ionic compound is separated into its component gaseous ions; it is endothermic (positive).
- First ionisation energy (ΔHie1) is the energy to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms; endothermic.
- Second ionisation energy (ΔHie2) is the energy to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous 1+ ions; endothermic.
- Enthalpy of atomisation (ΔHat) is the energy to form one mole of gaseous atoms from the element in its standard state; endothermic.
- First electron affinity (ΔHea1) is the energy change when one mole of gaseous atoms gains one mole of electrons; can be exothermic, endothermic, or neutral.
- Second electron affinity (ΔHea2) is the energy change when one mole of gaseous 1− ions gains one mole of electrons; endothermic due to repulsion.
- In Born-Haber diagrams: endothermic processes go upward, exothermic processes go downward.
Born-Haber Cycle Calculations (HL)
- Apply Hess's Law: ΔHlatt = −ΔHf + ΔH1, where ΔH1 is the sum of all steps from elements to gaseous ions.
- For a compound like MgCl₂, double the values for atomisation and electron affinity of chlorine because two Cl⁻ ions are formed.
- Include both first and second ionisation energies when forming a 2+ ion (e.g., Mg²⁺).
- The cycle can be used to calculate any unknown step if the others are known.
- Always check stoichiometry: multiply enthalpy values by the number of moles involved.
- You may need to refer to the Data Booklet for specific values; ensure you select the correct data for each step.
- You will not be asked to draw an entire Born-Haber cycle from scratch, but you may need to complete a partially drawn one.
- Show electrons in ionisation steps and ensure arrows point in the correct direction.
Slides
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Practice questions
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1.What is the correct definition of average bond enthalpy?
Easy- AThe energy required to break one covalent bond in a gaseous molecule
- BThe energy released when one mole of covalent bonds is formed in gaseous molecules
- CThe average energy required to break one mole of a specified type of bond in gaseous molecules
- DThe energy required to break one mole of all bonds in a substance in its standard state
2.Which statement best describes what is meant by the average HI bond enthalpy?
Easy- AThe energy stored in a covalent bond.
- BThe energy required to break one covalent bond in the gas phase.
- CThe energy required to break one mole of the HI bonds in the gas phase.
- DThe energy released when two atoms form a covalent bond.
3.Breaking a chemical bond is an endothermic process.
EasyTrue or false?
4.Which quantity gives the best indication of the relative strength of the hydrogen bonds between water molecules in the liquid state?
Medium- AEnthalpy changes of vaporisation
- BBond dissociation energies
- CEnthalpy of formation
- DActivation energy
5.What is the correct definition of lattice enthalpy?
Easy- AEnthalpy change when one mole of solid ionic compound is separated into its component gaseous ions
- BEnthalpy change when one mole of electrons is removed from one mole of gaseous atoms
- CEnthalpy change when one mole of solid ionic compound is formed from its gaseous ions under standard conditions
- DEnthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements
6.Which of the following processes are endothermic in a Born-Haber cycle? (select all that apply)
Medium- AAtomisation of a solid metal
- BFirst ionisation energy
- CFirst electron affinity of a halogen
- DSecond electron affinity of oxygen
- ELattice enthalpy (separation into gaseous ions)
7.Which equation represents the second electron affinity of nitrogen?
Medium- A½N₂(g) + 2e⁻ → N²⁻(g)
- BN⁻(g) + e⁻ → N²⁻(g)
- CN(g) + 4e⁻ → 2N²⁻(g)
- DN(g) + e⁻ → N⁻(g)
8.Which steps are endothermic in the Born-Haber cycle for the formation of LiCl? I. ½Cl₂(g) → Cl(g); II. Cl(g) + e⁻ → Cl⁻(g); III. Li(s) → Li(g)
Medium- AI and II only
- BI and III only
- CII and III only
- DI, II and III
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