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)

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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 H 2SO4

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 cm 3 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

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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

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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 Bond
enthalpy / kJ mol1
change of combustion of ethanol. Using the data in the
table, calculate a theoretical value for Hc⦵ C―C 347
[CH3CH2OH(l)]. C―H 413
(HINT Remember to fully balance any equations before C―O 358
starting your calculations) (4
O―H 464
marks)
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)

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Starters for 10
6. Thermodynamics
Answers

2. 6.1. Definitions

Standard enthalpy change, H⦵

Definition; The heat energy change at constant pressure under standard conditions (pressure 100
kPa ; temperature 298 K ). (one mark for both conditions)
(2 marks)

Standard molar enthalpy change of formation, Hf⦵

Definition; The enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its constituent
elements under standard conditions, with all reactants and products in their standard states.

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

(3 marks)

Standard molar enthalpy change of combustion, Hc⦵

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); C4H10 + 13/2 O2  4 CO2 + 5 H2O

(one mark for symbols, one for balancing)

(3 marks)

Mean bond energy

Definition; The enthalpy change when 1 mole of a particular type of bond is broken or made (all
species in the gas phase) averaged over many different molecules
(2 marks)

6.2. Calorimetry
Possible improvements / corrections include (any 10 from);

1. The beaker needs some form of insulation (or a polystyrene beaker should be used)

2. An accurate thermometer is needed (not one that records 10 to 100 C)

3. The thermometer is placed too near the surface of the mixture. It must be in the centre.

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 4. The liquids are not allowed to equilibrate to similar temperatures before use; the H 2SO4 is
removed from the fridge!

5. Only two readings were taken before the addition of the H 2SO4. It is therefore impossible to draw a
line to indicate the average temperature of the NaOH before addition.

6. It is more usual to mix the reagents on the 3rd minute say and take no measurement at this point
then measure the temperature again on the 4 th, 5th minutes etc.

7. There is no mention of the mixture being stirred.

8. Not all temperatures are recorded to 1 decimal point in the student’s results table

9. A straight line is drawn for the temperature of the solution after addition of the H 2SO4 despite the
fact that the temperature clearly drops more steeply initially – better extrapolation needed.

10. A volume of 100 cm3 is indicated in the student’s calculation for the energy transferred. The volume
is in fact 150 cm3 (100 cm3 of NaOH and 50 cm3 of H2SO4).

11. The calculation requested is per mole of NaOH reacting. This reaction involves two equivalents of
NaOH so the final enthalpy change must be divided by 2.

NOTE The experimental data is made up and in no way represents the real enthalpy of neutralisation of
NaOH.

6.3. Hess’s law

1. (a) 4 C(s) + 5 H2(g)  C4H10(g)
(1 mark equation + balancing; 1 mark state symbols)

(b) C4H10(g) + 6 ½ O2(g)  4 CO2(g) + 5 H2O(g)

(1 mark equation; 1 mark balancing)
(NOTE Must be combustion of 1 mole of C4H10)

(c) C4H10(g) + 6 ½ O2(g)  4 CO2(g) + 5 H2O(g)

Hc⦵ = [(134.5) + (4 × 394) + (5 ×
4× 5×
242)]
134.5 394 242
= 2651.5 kJ mol1
kJ mol1 kJ mol1 kJ mol1
(1 mark for the cycle or equiv)
4 C(s), 5 H2(g), 6 ½ O2(g) (1 mark answer)

2. (a) 2 C(s) + 3 H2(g) + ½ O2(g)  CH3CH2OH(l)

(1 mark equation + balancing; 1 mark state symbols)
(b) 2 C(s) + 3 H2(g) + ½ O2(g)  CH3CH2OH(l)
2× 3× Hf⦵ = [(2 × 394) + (3 × 242)  (1367)]
394 242 1367
kJ mol1 = 147 kJ mol1
kJ mol1 kJ mol1

2 CO2(g), 3 H2(g), ½ O2(g) (1 mark for the cycle or equiv)

(1 mark answer)

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6.4. Using bond enthalpies
1. H H H H
O O
O
O C O
H C C O H O O H H
O C O O
O O H H
H H
O

Bonds broken / kJ mol1 Bonds made / kJ mol1

1 × C―C 1 × 347 4 × C=O 4 × 805
5 × C―H 5 × 413 6 × O―H 6 × 464
1 × C―O 1 × 358
1 × O―H 1 × 464
3 × O=O 3 × 498
Total energy in = 4728 kJ mol1 Total energy out = 6004 kJ mol1

(1 mark balanced equation)

(2 marks bonds broken /made)
Hc⦵ (CH3CH2OH) = Total energy in – total energy out

= 4728 kJ mol1 – 6004 kJ mol1

= –1276 kJ mol1 (1 mark correct sum)

2. 39 kJ mol1 of energy must be put in to the reaction to initially convert the liquid ethanol into gaseous
ethanol. Hence, the total energy in becomes 4728 kJ mol1 + 39 kJ mol1 = 4767 kJ mol1. Therefore the
more correct Hc⦵ [CH3CH2OH(l)] = 4767 kJ mol1 – 6004 kJ mol1 = –1237 kJ mol1

(1 mark)

3. Number of moles in 1 g = 1 g ÷ Mr (CH3CH2OH) = 1 g ÷ 46 g mol1 = 0.022 moles (1 mark)

Theoretical heat transferred by 1 g = 0.022 moles × 1237 kJ mol 1 = 26.9 kJ (1 mark)

26891 J = mass of water × 4.2 J K1 mol1 × 40 K

 mass of water = 26891 J / (4.2 J K1 g1 × 40 K)

= 160 g (1 mark)
Density of water = 1 g cm3, therefore 160 g has a volume of 160 cm3 (1 mark)

4. either Mean bond enthalpies are averages of the bond enthalpies in many different compounds.
Therefore they are not exact for the specific bonds in ethanol

or There is considerably loss of heat to the environment / copper calorimeter that is not
included in the calculations for the experimental enthalpy of combustion of ethanol. This loss
of heat would result in an experimental value that is lower than the actual value.

or The heat capacity of the copper calorimeter has not been taken into account meaning that
the heat transferred into the copper is not included in the calculation.

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BY-NC-SA 4.0. “new name” is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 by “name of user”.