Chemistry Topical Revision Energy Changes

A certain amount of energy ( enthalpy, H ) is stored inside every molecule / atom.

In a chemical reaction energy is either lost or gained ( enthalpy change )
This enthalpy change / heat change is known as H

Exothermic ( Exo = Out ) Endothermic ( Endo = In )

The process of bond making. The process of bond breaking.
Energy is released when bonds are formed and system gives Energy is taken in when bonds are broken and system takes
out energy to the surrounding. in energy from the surrounding.
This causes the reaction vessel to feel hot and temperature This causes the reaction vessel to feel cold and temperature
rise in surrounding. drop in surrounding.
[ Chemical E Heat E ] [ Heat E Chemical E ]
The stronger the bonds to be formed the more energy is The stronger the bonds to be broken the more energy is taken
released during the formation of this bond. in during breaking of this bond.
As energy is given out as heat during the reaction, H1 ( energy As energy is taken in during the reaction H1 ( energy content of
content of reactants ) is greater than H2 ( energy content of reactants ) is smaller than H2 ( energy content of products ).
products ).
Thus, H1 > H2 and H is negative. Thus, H1 < H2 and H is positive.
Reactants have higher energy content than products Reactants have lower energy content than products
Energy Level Diagram Energy Level Diagram
Energy Energy
Level/kJ Level/kJ
Reactant Product
s s
H = -ve
H = +ve
Product Reactant
s s
Progress of Progress of
reaction reaction
 H = +ve
H = -ve

Things to take note of when drawing diagram

1. Axis ( energy content/kJ and progress of rxn )
2. End of reactant line touch the start of product line
3. Write out the CHEMICAL FORMULA of reactants and products if given.
4. Label H ( the magnitude if given )
5. The direction of arrows ( exo Down and endo Up )
6. Activation Energy always pointing UPWARDS from the reactants.
To determine whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic is the relative amount of heat energy evolved or absorbed.
A reaction is exothermic if more energy is released in bond A reaction is endothermic if more energy is taken in bond
forming than energy taken in to break the bonds. This means breaking than energy taken in to form the bonds. This means
that bonds that are formed are stronger than the bonds which that bonds that are formed are weaker than the bonds which
are broken. are broken.
Eg. 2 H2 + O2 2 H2O Eg. N2 + O2 2 NO
This reaction is exothermic as more energy is released to This reaction is endothermic as more energy is taken in to
form the stronger O-H than taken in to break the weak H-H break the stronger N N and O=O than given out to form the
and O=O bonds. N=O bonds.
To determine the H ( enthalpy change/heat of reaction/ heat change ) MUST be written with +/- sign.
Use equation : H = Energy taken in to break bonds ( +kJ ) + Energy given out to break bonds ( -kJ )
H = +/- ______ kJ
Must take note of the mole of reactants used as well.
Example : Calculate H for the reaction 2 H2 + O2 2 H2O [ draw out dot and cross to find out bond ]
Energy change ( taken in ) = +436kJ x 2 + + 496kJ [ number of moles x bond energy/mole ]
 = +1368kJ
Energy change ( given out ) = 4 x - 468kJ
= -1852kJ
Heat of reaction = +1368kJ + ( -1852kJ )
= -484kJ
Examples of rxns Examples of rxns
1. Combustion 1. Thermal Decomposition
2. Respiration 2. Photosynthesis
3. Neutralisation 3. Boiling
4. Combination 4. Melting Heat taken to
5. Metal Reactions [ Metal + Acid , Metal + Water and break bonds
Metal Displacement ]
6. Freezing
Heat given out
7. Condensation
to form bonds