What is Enthalpy Change?
Enthalpy change (ΔH) represents the heat absorbed or released during a chemical process at constant pressure. It's fundamental to understanding:
- Heat of reaction (ΔHrxn)
- Heat of formation (ΔHf)
- Heat of combustion (ΔHc)
- Heat of solution (ΔHsoln)
Sign Conventions
Understanding enthalpy signs:
- Positive ΔH: Endothermic process
- Negative ΔH: Exothermic process
- Zero ΔH: No heat change
- Standard conditions: 1 atm, 25°C
Hess's Law
Key principles of Hess's Law:
- Total ΔH is path-independent
- Can combine multiple steps
- Reverse reaction: opposite sign
- Multiply ΔH by stoichiometric coefficients
Applications
Enthalpy calculations are used in:
- Chemical manufacturing
- Food science
- Fuel chemistry
- Materials science
- Biochemical processes
Advanced Concepts
Related thermodynamic concepts:
- Bond enthalpies
- Lattice energy
- Phase transitions
- Calorimetry
- State functions