The PDF explains Hess's Law, which states that the total enthalpy change of a chemical reaction is independent of the reaction pathway as long as the initial and final conditions are the same. It introduces Hess cycles, illustrating how to use them to calculate enthalpy changes that cannot be deter...
, Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources
Hess’s Law
Your notes
Hess Cycles
Hess’s Law states that:
"The total enthalpy change in a chemical reaction is independent of the route by which the chemical
reaction takes place as long as the initial and final conditions are the same."
This means that whether the reaction takes place in one or two steps, the total enthalpy change of the
reaction will still be the same
Illustration of Hess's Law
According to Hess’ Law, the enthalpy change of the direct route, going from reactants (A+B) to
product (C), is equal to the enthalpy change of the indirect routes
Hess’ Law is used to calculate enthalpy changes which can’t be found experimentally using
calorimetry, e.g.:
3C (s) + 4H2 (g) → C3H8(g)
ΔHf (propane) can’t be found experimentally as hydrogen and carbon don’t react under standard
conditions
Calculating ΔHr from ΔHf using Hess’s Law energy cycles
The products can be directly formed from the elements = ΔH2
OR
Page 2 of 9
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller haydenash. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.