Enthalpy change

measurements
Practical Examples

Enthalpy change, H
Def* - The heat absorbed, at constant
pressure, when a chemical process
occurs in molar amounts as specified by
an equation.
If H = -ve the reaction is exothermic.
If H = +ve the reaction is endothermic.
Standard conditions refer to 298K and 1atm.

Unit 2 Definitions
Hf - Standard enthalpy of formation
The enthalpy change when 1 mole of a compound is formed from its
constituent elements in their standard states, under standard conditions.

Hc - Standard enthalpy of combustion

The enthalpy change when 1 mole of a compound is completely burned
in oxygen, under standard conditions.

Hneut - Standard enthalpy of neutralisation

The enthalpy change when 1 mole of water is formed when an acid
neutralises an alkali under standard conditions.
H+(aq) + OH-(aq) H2O(l)
Remember STATE SYMBOLS are crucial in thermochemistry !

Experimental measurements of
enthalpy changes
There are 3 variations :
1. Enthalpy of Combustion
(using spirit burners)

2. Heat of Reaction
(involving a more reactive metal displacing a less reactive metal)

3. Enthalpy of neutralisation reactions

(titrations involving acids/alkalis)

Enthalpy of Combustion
The amount of heat energy given out by
burning a fuel can be measured
experimentally by heating up a know volume
of liquid (usually water).
The apparatus used is called a calorimeter.
These can vary from very simple
calorimeters shown opposite to a
sophisticated bomb calorimeter.

The amount of heat energy required to

raise the temperature of 1g by 1K is called
the specific heat capacity Cp. For water
the value is 4.2 j g-1 K-1.

Calculations
Heat transferred = mass x Cp x temp. change

H = m x Cp x t
Thus for burning 1.5g of ethanol if, 100cm 3 of water was
heated from 21oC to 59oC the energy change would be

H = 100 x 4.2 x (59-21) = 15960 j

Note m is the mass of water heated not the mass of fuel used !
This is the energy produced for burning 1.5g how much energy would
be produced for burning 1 mole?
Ethanol = C2H5OH
Its Molecular mass = 46g
Therefore for burning 1 mole the energy would be
15960 x 46 / 1.5 = 734160j/mol
Hc = - 734.1Kj/mol
The value is ve as heat energy is given out i.e. Exothermic

Errorsthe actual book value is 1371 Kj/mol

Why are the two values so different?
Lots of heat energy is
lost to the surrounding
Black soot is produced
incomplete combustion

Insulate the apparatus

and use a lid

3.

Copper beaker gets hot

4.

Accuracy of the balance

and thermometer

Include the heat capacity

of copper in the
calculations
Read to +/- 0.1oC and +/0.01g

1.
2.

Use pure oxygen

A more sophisticated (Thiemann)

calorimeter

Heat of Reaction
(involving a more reactive metal displacing a
less reactive metal)
The reaction between Zinc
powder and copper sulphate
solution gives out heat energy
Zn + Cu2+ Zn2+ + Cu
Zinc is added in excess at
precisely 3 mins and the
mixture stirred continuously
for a further 6 mins.
A graph is plotted and
extrapolated to establish the
maximum temperature rise.

Enthalpy of neutralisation
reactions (titrations involving acids/alkalis)
25cm3 of alkali is pipetted
into the plastic cup.
Acid is added 5cm3 at a time
from a burette, the mixture
stirred, and the temperature
recorded.
This is repeated until 50cm3
of acid has been added.
A graph is plotted.

Temperature corrections
The graph is
extrapolated and the
maximum temperature
rise found. The volume
of acid needed to
neutralise the alkali is
also noted.

H = m x Cp x t
Maximum
temp. rise
Mass of acid + alkali

Heat capacity of
water

Calculation cont
If 1 mol/dm3 of acid and alkali is used and the
temperature rise is 6.4oC and 24.5cm3 of acid neutralises
the alkali

H = m x Cp x t
H = (25+24.5) x 4.2 x 6.4 = 1330 j
But this is for 25cm3 of alkali
For 1 dm3 the energy given out would be 1000 / 25 x
1330 = 53200 j

This is 53.2 Kj/mol (i.e. it is exothermic)

Errors
Again heat is lost to the surrounding.
Exact specific heat capacities are not used
water is assumed.
Experimental methods have their own
errors
thermometers / burettes errors
Error

experimental value accepted value

____________________________________________

accepted value

x 100