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Enthalpy Changes for Solids and Solutions

Enthalpy change of solution and the solubility of ionic compounds

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on the two processes that occur when an ionic solid dissolves, the cycle relating lattice enthalpy, hydration enthalpies and enthalpy of solution, worked calculations for named chlorides, and why a salt with an endothermic enthalpy of solution can still dissolve readily.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Process

What two processes occur when an ionic solid dissolves, and what are the enthalpy changes of solution of sodium and potassium chloride?

Process

Describe the two processes that take place when an ionic solid dissolves in water.

Key term

Explain why a compound with a strongly endothermic enthalpy change of solution is likely to be insoluble.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the standard enthalpy change of solution.

    Model answer

    It is the enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is dissolved in enough water to give an infinitely dilute solution.

  2. 2

    State how the enthalpy change of solution is related to the lattice and hydration enthalpies.

    Model answer

    It equals the lattice breaking enthalpy plus the sum of the hydration enthalpies of all the ions produced.

  3. 3

    Explain why the enthalpy change of solution can be either positive or negative.

    Model answer

    It is the small difference between a large endothermic lattice breaking term and a large exothermic hydration term, so its sign depends on which of the two is greater.

  4. 4

    Describe the two processes that take place when an ionic solid dissolves in water.

    Model answer

    The lattice is pulled apart into separate gaseous ions, and those ions are then surrounded and hydrated by water molecules.

  5. 5

    Calculate the enthalpy change of solution of sodium chloride, given a lattice breaking enthalpy of +787 kJ mol⁻¹ and hydration enthalpies of −406 kJ mol⁻¹ for Na⁺ and −378 kJ mol⁻¹ for Cl⁻.

    Model answer

    The enthalpy change of solution is +787 − 406 − 378 = +3 kJ mol⁻¹.

  6. 6

    Calculate the enthalpy change of solution of potassium chloride, given a lattice breaking enthalpy of +711 kJ mol⁻¹ and hydration enthalpies of −322 kJ mol⁻¹ for K⁺ and −378 kJ mol⁻¹ for Cl⁻.

    Model answer

    The enthalpy change of solution is +711 − 322 − 378 = +11 kJ mol⁻¹.

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