Reverse Reaction Enthalpy Change
For example let s consider the reaction h 2 f 2 2hf.
Reverse reaction enthalpy change. The unit of enthalpy change is kilojoule per mole kj mol 1. The enthalpy change of a reaction is the amount of heat absorbed or released as the reaction takes place if it happens at a constant pressure. Changes in entropy δs together with changes in enthalpy δh enable us to predict in which direction a chemical or physical change will occur spontaneously. This example problem demonstrates strategies for how to use hess s law to find the enthalpy.
Chemical reactions are reversible and may reach a dynamic equilibrium. Enthalpy change is the difference between the energy contents of the products and reactants when a reaction occurs. Before discussing how to do so however we must understand the difference between a reversible process and an irreversible one. The enthalpy of a reaction can be found by calculating the amount of energy required to break the bonds of the reactants and then subtracting from this value the amount of energy required to form the bonds of the products.
Since in a chemical reaction energy can be neither destroyed nor created if we know the energy required to form or break the bonds being made or broken in the reaction we can estimate the enthalpy change for the entire reaction with high accuracy by adding up these bond energies. In a reversible process every intermediate state between the extremes is an equilibrium state. Hess s law also known as hess s law of constant heat summation states that the total enthalpy of a chemical reaction is the sum of the enthalpy changes for the steps of the reaction therefore you can find enthalpy change by breaking a reaction into component steps that have known enthalpy values. There are two types of enthalpy changes exothermic negative enthalpy change and endothermic positive enthalpy change.