AQA A Level Chemistry

Revision Notes

1.6.6 Applications of Hess’s Law

Test Yourself

Hess's Law Calculations

  • You must make sure that you can apply Hess' Law effectively and calculate enthalpy changes in different situations
  • Remember - it is the data that is important
  • Check whether the data you have been given is formation data or combustion data, and then complete the cycle or calculation according to that

Worked example

Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane

Calculate ΔH[ethane].

The relevant change in standard enthalpy of combustion (ΔHc) values are shown in the table below:

Answer

Step 1: Write the equation for enthalpy change of formation at the top and add oxygen on both sides

Chemical Energetics Step 1 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 2: Draw the cycle with the combustion products at the bottom

Chemical Energetics Step 2 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct directionChemical Energetics Step 3 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law

Hess Cycles Worked Example 2 Step 4, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Calculating average bond energies using Hess’s cycles

  • Bond energies cannot be found directly so enthalpy cycles are used to find the average bond energy
  • This can be done using enthalpy changes of atomisation and combustion or formation
  • The enthalpy change of atomisation (ΔHat ) is the enthalpy change when one mole of gaseous atoms is formed from its elements under standard conditions.
    • Eg. ΔHat [H2] relates to the equation:

½ H2(g) → H(g)

Worked example

Calculating average C-H bond energy

Calculate the average bond energy of the C-H bond using the relevant ΔHf and ΔHatꝋ values in the table below:

Answer

Step 1: Write down the equation for the dissociation of methane at the top

Chemical Energetics Step 1 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 2: Write down the elements at the bottom

Chemical Energetics Step 2 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct direction

Chemical Energetics Step 3 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law

Hess Cycles Worked Example 3 Step 4, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 5: Since there are 4 C-H bonds in methane:

Hess Cycles Worked Example 3 Step 5, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Exam Tip

Remember: Take into account the number of moles of each reactant and product.

For example, there are two moles of NaHCO3(s) so the ΔHf value is multiplied by 2.

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