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O Level Chemistry

ENERGY CHANGES
Enthalpy:
The total energy content of a substance due to its physical state and internal structure is enthalpy. It is denoted by H or sometimes by E. Change in enthalpy is denoted by .

Processes in a Chemical Reaction:

The word process over here means a part of a single reaction. There are two processes in a chemical reaction, in general. 1. The process in which the chemical bonds are broken, and this called an energy absorption process. 2. Second process includes the formation of new bonds and it is known as energy releasing process. High energy particles cannot remain together, so they have to break, just as in (1), where bonds are broken due to absorption of energy. When they have to unite, they have to lose energy, just as in (2), where bonds are formed with the release of energy.

Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions:

i. Exothermic reactions: These are the reactions in which energy (usually in the form of heat) is released. ii. Endothermic reactions: These are the reactions in which energy (usually in the form of heat) is absorbed.

Energy Profiles:

Figure 1 Exothermic Reaction

Figure 2 Endothermic Reaction

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Energy Changes

(a) Activation Energy, EA (b) Energy change between unstable state and the Products (Stable state). (c) Enthalpy or energy change of reaction. Note: In exothermic reactions, enthalpy of reactants is generally greater than those of products. But, in endothermic reactions, enthalpies of products are generally greater than those of reactants.

Activation Energy:
The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction is called as activation energy.

Bond Energy:
The energy required to break one mole of a specific bond is called bond energy. It is expressed in kJ/mol. The same amount of energy is released when one mole of the same bond is formed again. Note: The bond energy or bond enthalpy terms are often used for covalent bonds and not for ionic bonds.

Sign convention of Enthalpy change:

If the enthalpy change is in terms of release of energy, then it is given a negative sign. But when the energy is absorbed in a reaction, it is given a positive sign. = + (Endothermic Reaction) = (Exothermic Reaction)

1. Using the bond energies given in the table, calculate the expected energy change for the following reaction. 2H2 + O2 Bond HH HO O=O 2H2O Bond Energies (kJ/mol) 436 464 497

The given equation can be written as: 2(HH) + (O=O) 2 x 2(HO) = +2(436) + 2(497) 4(464) = 487 kJ (not per mole, exothermic reaction)
Prepared by Mr. Saad Hameed (M.Sc. Chemistry, teacher at Beaconhouse School Lahore, Pakistan)