Chapter 15: Energy Changes
Secondary Chemistry Topic Revision: Energy Change
Energy Change: Exothermic vs Endothermic
Definition of enthalpy change: the amount of heat energy given out or taken in during a reaction, and is given by the equation:
โ๐ป = ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ ๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
| Type of reaction | Exothermic | Endothermic |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A chemical reaction that gives out energy (often in the form of heat) to the surrounding, resulting in a rise in temperature in surroundings. | A chemical reaction that takes in energy (often in the form of heat) from the surroundings, causing a drop in temperature in the surroundings. |
| Energy level Diagram |
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| Energy profile Diagram |
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| Enthalpy Change, ฮH |
Negative (<0) | Positive (>0) |
| Examples of Reactions |
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Common mistake #1: Assuming that energy level diagram and energy profile diagram is the same.
Energy level diagram will only show the energy levels of both the reactants and products, as well as the enthalpy change. Energy profile diagram also shows the energy levels of reactants and products, enthalpy change and the activation energy.
Common mistake #2: Using a double-headed arrow when labelling activation energy or enthalpy change.
For activation energy, the arrowhead will always be pointed upwards, whereas for enthalpy change, the arrowhead should point from reactants to products. Thus, for exothermic reactions, as the energy level of products is lower than that of reactants, the arrowhead will point downwards, while for endothermic reactions, it will point upwards instead.
Bond-breaking is an endothermic process as energy is taken in or absorbed to break a bond.
โ๐ป = + 436 ๐๐ฝ/๐๐๐
To form the hydrogen molecule, energy is lost or released to form the covalent bond. Specifically, 436 kJ of energy is released during the forming of 1 mole of H-H bonds. As bond-forming is an exothermic process, the enthalpy change is negative.
For a chemical reaction to occur, bonds in the reactants must be broken so that new bonds can be formed in the product.
โ๐ป = - 436 ๐๐ฝ/๐๐๐
Bond energy measures the strength of a chemical bond. The stronger the bond, the higher the bond energy. For hydrogen gas, the bond energy is 436 kJ/mol. This means that 436 kJ of energy is absorbed to break 1 mol of H-H bonds. Take note that for the chemical equation above, the enthalpy change is positive as energy is taken in.
๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐๐: โ๐ป = ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐) + ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐)
The equation above tells us that a reaction is
- Exothermic (negative ฮH): if energy released in bond forming is more than energy absorbed for bond breaking.
- Endothermic (positive ฮH): if energy absorbed for bond breaking is more than energy released in bond forming.
Question: The energy profile diagram is that for the Haber Process.
What does the energy change E2 - E1 represent?
- The activation energy of the forward reaction
- The activation energy of the reverse reaction
- Enthalpy change of the forward reaction
- Enthalpy change of the reverse reaction
Explanations For Different Options ๐
- The activation energy of the forward reaction will be the energy change between the reactant of the forward reaction (N2 + 3H2) and E2.
- The activation energy of the reverse reaction will be the energy change between the reactant of the reverse reaction (2NH3 or E1) and E2.
- Enthalpy change of the forward reaction will be from the reactant of the forward reaction to the product of the forward reaction (E1).
- Enthalpy change of the reverse reaction will be from the reactant of the reverse reaction (E1) to the product of the reverse reaction (N2 + 3H2).
Explanation in
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