Enthalpies (all of them!)

  1. Enthalpy Change of Formation
  2. Enthalpy Change of Combustion
  3. Enthalpy Change of Neutralization
  4. Enthalpy Change of Reaction
  5. Enthalpy Change of Atomization
  6. Lattice Energy
  7. Electron Affinity

Enthalpy Change of Formation (\(\Delta H_F\))

The change in enthalpy when 1 mole of a compound is formed from its constituent elements, measured under standard conditions.

\(\frac{1}{2}H_2 + \frac{1}{2}Cl_2 \rightarrow HCl\)

Remember: 1 mole of a compound is formed!

Enthalpy Change of Combustion (\(\Delta H_C\))

The change in enthalpy when 1 mole of a compound is completely combusted (burned in oxygen), measured under standard conditions.

\(C + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2\)

Note that this is the enthalpy of combustion of carbon AND the enthalpy of formation of carbon dioxide.

Enthalpy Change of Neutralization (\(\Delta H_N\))

The change in enthalpy when 1 mole of water is formed as a result of an acid/base reaction, measured under standard conditions. It generally lies around \(-57kJ/mol\) for a reaction involving strong acids and bases. For weaker acids/bases, it is greater than \(-57kJ/mol\).

\(HCl + NaOH \rightarrow NaCl + H_2O\)

Enthalpy Change of Reaction (\(\Delta H_R\))

The change in enthalpy of a chemical reaction when it occurs in the molar ratios/stoichiometric quantities outlined by a given chemical equation, measured under standard conditions. The example from before works for this definition too:

\(HCl + NaOH \rightarrow NaCl + H_2O\)

Enthalpy Change of Atomization (\(\Delta H_{AT}\))

The change in enthalpy when 1 mole of gaseous atoms are formed from its element, measured under standard conditions.

\(\frac{1}{2}I_2(s) \rightarrow I(g)\)

Here, the \(\Delta H_{AT}\) is the energy needed to break the \(I-I\) covalent bond + the Van der Waals forces in that molecule.

\(\frac{1}{2}Cl_2(g) \rightarrow Cl(g)\)

Here, the \(\Delta H_{AT}\) is only the energy needed to break the \(Cl-Cl\) covalent bond, since the molecule is already gaseous.

Lattice Energy (\(\Delta H_{LE}\))

The change in enthalpy when 1 mole of a solid ionic lattice is formed from its constituent gaseous ions, measured under standard conditions.

\(2Na^+(g) + SO^{2-}_4(g) \rightarrow Na_2SO_4(s)\)

Electron Affinity (\(\Delta H_{EA}\))

This is the polar opposite of ionization energy: the change in enthalpy when 1 mole of electrons are gained by gaseous atoms to form negatively charged ions.

Like with ionization energy, there are different definitions for each electron affinity. Take the first: the change in enthalpy when 1 mole of electrons are gained by gaseous atoms to form gaseous 1- ions. You can scale your definitions as needed.

Note that first electron affinities are always negative (exothermic).

\(Cl(g) + e^- \rightarrow Cl^- (g)\)

This article was written on 2024-08-18. If you have any thoughts, feel free to send me an email with them. Have a nice day!