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Energetics and Thermodynamics

Hess's Law and Enthalpy Cycles

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Hess's law, and building cycles from enthalpies of formation or combustion.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

State Hess's law.

Key term

What does Hess's law allow us to calculate?

Numbers

When using enthalpies of formation to calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction, what is the general formula?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State Hess's law.

    Model answer

    The total enthalpy change for a reaction is independent of the route taken, provided the initial and final conditions are the same.

  2. 2

    What does Hess's law allow us to calculate?

    Model answer

    Enthalpy changes for reactions that cannot be measured directly, using enthalpy changes that can be measured.

  3. 3

    In a Hess's law cycle using enthalpies of formation, what is the enthalpy of formation of all elements in their standard states?

    Model answer

    Zero.

  4. 4

    When using enthalpies of formation to calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction, what is the general formula?

    Model answer

    ΔH = Σ ΔfH(products) − Σ ΔfH(reactants)

  5. 5

    When using enthalpies of combustion to calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction, what is the general formula?

    Model answer

    ΔH = Σ ΔcH(reactants) − Σ ΔcH(products)

  6. 6

    In an enthalpy cycle using enthalpies of formation, what do the elements in their standard states represent?

    Model answer

    The common reference point from which formation enthalpies are measured.

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