SHS
General Chemistry 2
Quarter 2- Week 3 (Module 15)
Hess’s Law
Calculate the change in enthalpy using
Hess’s Law
LESSON
CALCULATING ENTHALPY USING HESS’S LAW
This Self-Directed Module in General
Chemistry 2 is designed for Grade 12 learners to
calculate the change in enthalpy using Hess’ Law.
Hi! After completing the activities in this
material, you should be able to recall your
knowledge in enthalpy to use Hess Law in
calculating change in enthalpy.
Good luck and have an awesome journey
as you go through the different activities in this
module!
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
a. State what Hess’s Law is;
b. Enumerate the steps in solving for enthalpy change; and
c. Calculate change in enthalpy using Hess’s Law.
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Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct
and FALSE if the statement is incorrect in the
given blank.
1. Enthalpy is the energy change in a reaction.
2. The enthalpy change can be measured in a laboratory.
3. The enthalpy change that happens in a reaction is slow. Thus, we can use
laboratory tools to determine the enthalpy change in a reaction.
4. Enthalpy, just like volume, is a state function.
5. The first stem to compute for change in enthalpy is to balance the
individual equations.
Hello! How did you find the test?
Please check your answers at the answer key section
and see how you did. Don’t worry if you got a low
score, this just means that there are more things that
you can learn from this module. So, let’s learn more
Learning Activities
A. Engage
Can you still recall your knowledge in Grade 10
about balancing chemical equations? Try to
balance the following equations below:
1. C5H12 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
2.
Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
What are the steps that you made to balance the chemical equations above?
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We need to go back with balancing chemical equation since it is the first step
that is needed in today’s lesson – calculating the enthalpy change using Hess’s Law.
Hess’s Law, or in some reference, Hess’s Law of Constant Heat Summation
states that regardless of the multiple stages or steps of a reaction, the total enthalpy
change for the reaction is the sum of all changes. This law is a manifestation of a
state function.
Enthalpy change cannot be accurately measured during an actual chemical
reaction in a laboratory. That is why we use steps in order for us to solve for the
enthalpy change in a chemical reaction using the Hess’s Law.
What are the steps in solving the enthalpy of combustion? Sequence the
given steps below by writing the number in your notebook (1-1st step to 5-5th step)
Flip equations around if necessary to cancel out terms on opposite sides.
Sum up the individual steps.
Balance the individual equation.
If necessary, look up standard enthalpies.
Changing the equation around requires a sign change of the H of that individual step
There are no definite steps in solving for the enthalpy
change, but these are the steps that are commonly
used to solve for enthalpy change.
1. Balance the individual equation
2. If necessary, look up standard enthalpies
3. Flip equations around if necessary to cancel out terms on opposite sides
4. Changing the equation around requires a sign change of the H of
that individual step
5. Sum up the individual steps
To recall, Hess’s law can be stated as follows: When reactants are
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converted to products, the change in enthalpy is the same whether the
reaction takes place in one step or in a series of steps.
In other words, if we can break down the reaction of interest into a series of
reactions for which Hu rxn can be measured, we can calculate ΔHo rxn for the overall
reaction. Hess’s law is based on the fact that because H is a state function, ΔH
depends only on the initial and final state (that is, only on the nature of reactants and
products). The enthalpy change would be the same whether the overall reaction
takes place in one step or many steps.
An analogy for Hess’s law is as follows. Suppose you go from the first floor to
the sixth floor of a building by elevator. The gain in your gravitational potential energy
(which corresponds to the enthalpy change for the overall process) is the same
whether you go directly there or stop at each floor on your way up (breaking the trip
into a series of steps). Let’s say we are interested in the standard enthalpy of
formation of carbon monoxide (CO). We might represent the reaction as:
C(graphite) + ½ O2(g) → CO(g)
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However, burning graphite also produces some carbon dioxide (CO 2), so we
cannot measure the enthalpy change for CO directly as shown. Instead, we must
employ an indirect route, based on Hess’s law. It is possible to carry out the following
two separate reactions, which do go to completion:
Because chemical equations can be added and subtracted just like algebraic
equations, we carry out the operation (a) + (c) and obtain:
Thus, ΔHof (CO) = -110.5 kJ/mol. Looking back, we see that the overall
reaction is the formation of CO2 [Equation (a)], which can be broken down into two
parts [Equations (d) and (b)]. Take note also that if the is positive, the reaction
is endothermic and when it is negative, it means that the reaction is exothermic.
What does = -110.5 kJ/mol mean?
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The general rule in applying Hess’s law is to arrange a series of chemical
equations (corresponding to a series of steps) in such a way that, when added
together, all species will cancel except for the reactants and products that appear in
the overall reaction. This means that we want the elements on the left and the
compound of interest on the right of the arrow. Further, we often need to multiply
some or all of the equations representing the individual steps by the appropriate
coefficients.
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Sample Problems:
1. Find the standard molar enthalpy for the reaction
C(s) + ½ O2(g) → CO(g)
Given that:
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) ∆Hᴼ = -394 kJ
CO2(g) → CO(g) + ½ O2(g) ∆Hᴼ = +283 kJ
______________________________________________
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) ∆Hᴼ = -394 kJ
CO2(g) → CO(g) + ½ O2(g) ∆Hᴼ = +283 kJ
____________________________________________
Cs+ ½ O2(g) CO(g) ∆Hᴼ= - 111kJ
2. The standard enthalpy changes for the formation of aluminum oxide and iron (III) oxide
are :
2 Al(s) + 3/2 O2(g) → Al2O3(s) ∆Hᴼ = -1676 kJ
2Fe(s) + 3/2 O2(g) → Fe2O3(s) ∆Hᴼ = -824 kJ
ᴼ
Calculate ∆H for the reaction:
Fe2O3(s) + 2 Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2 Fe(s)
_______________________________________________
2Al(s) + 3/2 O2 Al2O3(s) ∆H ᴼ = -1676 kJ
Fe2O3(S) 2 Fe(s) + 3/2 O2(g) (inverse) ∆Ho = +824kJ
_________________________________________________
Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) Al2O3(s) + 2Fe ∆Ho = -852kJ
On the example given above, did it follow the step-by-step process? Write down your
observations below:
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.
In summary, what is Hess’s Law?
Hess’s law states that the overall enthalpy change in a reaction is equal to the
sum of enthalpy changes for the individual steps that make up the overall
reaction. The standard enthalpy of a reaction can be calculated from the standard
enthalpies of formation of reactants and products.
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Keep this in mind:
Standard enthalpy changes denoted by the symbol H .This is used when the
substances are in their standard states. The standard state of a
reactant/product which is its moststable form is defined as its pure form at
standard pressure of 1 atm.
Any of these signs/notations ΔHof, ΔHorxn, or simply ΔH may be used with
the same value/magnitude of heat.
In finding the target or net equation for Hess' Law problems, check on the
specified states of the Reactants and Products.
Congratulations on finishing the
supplementary learning module! You have
just had an amazing learning journey and
for sure, you will have the same in the
succeeding modules.
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DIRECTIONS: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of your answer
1. Which of the following defines Hess’s Law?
a. difference of enthalpy changes for the individual steps that make up the
overall reaction.
b. product of enthalpy changes for the individual steps that make up the
overall reaction
c.sum of enthalpy changes for the individual steps that make up the overall
reaction
d. sum of standard enthalpy for the individual steps that make up the overall
reaction
2. “Flip equations around if necessary to cancel out terms on opposite sides” This is
the step in calculating the enthalpy change based on the discussion.
a. first b. second c. third d. fourth
3-7.Sequence the given steps in solving for the enthalpy of combustion by writing the
number in your notebook (1-1st step to 5- 5th step).
Flip equations around if necessary to cancel out terms on opposite sides
Sum up the individual steps
Balance the individual equation
If necessary, look up standard enthalpies
Changing the equation around requires a sign change of the H of that individual
step
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POST TEST
A. Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Clara was tasked by his teacher to research about enthalpy. Before she can
understand the topic, she has to know its definition first. Which of the following
can help Clara define enthalpy?
a. It is the change in energy in a reaction.
b. It is the change in heat flow in a reaction.
c. It is the change in energy and heat flow in a reaction.
d. It is the change in the KE and PE in a reaction.
2. Which of the following is TRUE about Hess’s Law?
a. It is used to solve the energy of the reactants in a reaction.
b. It is used to solve for the enthalpy change in a reaction.
c. It is used to identify the number of moles in the reactant and the product.
d. It is used to determine if the reaction is positive or negative.
3. Below are steps in solving for the enthalpy change EXCEPT:
a. Sum up the individual steps
b. Balance the individual equation
c. If necessary, look up standard enthalpies
d. Put a negative sign on the reaction if it is endothermic.
4. It is the last step in solving for the enthalpy change using Hess’s Law.
a. Sum up the individual steps
b. Balance the individual equation
c. If necessary, look up standard enthalpies
d. Put a negative sign on the reaction if it is endothermic.
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5. It is the unit of measurement used in enthalpy change.
a. kg * m/s2 b. kJ/mol c. J/mol d. mol/kJ
Solve the following problems (show your solutions)
1. Coal gasification converts coal into a combustible mixture of carbon monoxide and
hydrogen, called coal gas, in a gasifier:
H2O(l) + C(s) → CO(g) + H2(g) ∆Hᴼ = ?
Calculate the standard enthalpy change for this reaction from the following chemical equations:
2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g) ∆Hᴼ = -222 kJ
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g) ∆Hᴼ = -484 kJ
H2O(l) → H2O(g) ∆Hᴼ = + 44kJ
2. This coal gas can be used a fuel:
CO(g) + H2(g) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Predict the change in enthalpy for this combustion reaction from the following equations:
2 C(s) + O2(g) → 2 CO(g) ∆Hᴼ = -222 kJ
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) ∆Hᴼ = -394 kJ
2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g) ∆Hᴼ = -484 kJ
3. Use the following calorimetrically determined enthalpy changes to predict the standard enthalpy change
for the reaction of ethane with chlorine gas.
C2H4(g) + Cl2(g) → C2H3Cl(g) + HCl(g) ∆Hᴼ = ?
H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) ∆Hᴼ = -185 kJ
C2H4(g) + HCl(g) → C2H5Cl(l) ∆Hᴼ = -65 kJ
C2H3Cl(g) + H2(g) → C2H5Cl(l) ∆Hᴼ = -140 kJ
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Acetylene is a colorless gas that is widely used as a fuel.
Endothermic reactions are processes that absorb heat from the surrounding
Enthalpy is the amount change in energy in a chemical reaction.
Enthalpy of a reaction is simply the difference in enthalpy between products
and reactants.
Exothermic reactions are processes the give off heat to the surroundings
Graphite is a crystalline form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in
a hexagonal structure.
Hess’s law states that the overall enthalpy change in a reaction is equal to
the sum of enthalpy changes for the individual steps that make up the overall
reaction
Good luck.
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