Form 5 Chapter 4 - THERMOCHEMISTRY (Important Notes)

1. Exothermic reaction :
Chemical reaction that releases heat to the surroundings. The temperature of the
reaction mixture will increase.

2. Endothermic reaction :
Chemical reaction that absorbs heat from the surroundings. The temperature of the
reaction mixture will decrease.

3. Energy is absorbed to break a chemical bond.

4. Energy is released when a bond is formed.

5. For an exothermic reaction,

{energy absorbed for bond breaking} < {energy released from bond formation} , - ∆H

6. For an endothermic reaction,

{energy absorbed for bond breaking} > {energy released from bond formation} , + ∆H

7. Heat of Precipitation is the energy change when 1 mole of precipitate is formed from its
ions.

8. Heat of Displacement is the energy change when 1 mole of metal is displaced from its
solution by a more electropositive metal.

9. Heat of Neutralisation is the heat released when 1 mole of H⁺ ions react with 1 mole of
OH⁻ ions to produce 1 mole of water.

10. Heat of Combustion is the heat released when 1 mole of a substance is completely
burnt in excess oxygen.

11. Fuel Value or Heat Value is the heat energy when 1g of fuel is burnt completely burnt in
excess oxygen. Its unit is kJg⁻¹.

Effect of Change in Volume and Concentration on Ѳ

a) Different volume, same concentration, Ѳ remains the same
Explanation : When the volume of a solution used is doubled, the number of moles of
product formed and the energy change is doubled. The mass has also
doubled, therefore Ѳ remains the same.

b) Different concentration, Ѳ changes

Explanation : When the concentration of a solution used is doubled, the number of moles
of product formed and the energy change is doubled. The mass is the
same, therefore Ѳ is also doubled.
Frequently Asked Questions - Precautionary Steps

Heat of Precipitation / Neutralisation

1. Polystyrene cups are used because they are poor heat conductors and this prevents heat
loss to the surrounding.

2. The thermometer was left in the solution for few minutes before the temperature is
measured to ensure that the solution has reached a uniform temperature.

3. The thermometer should not be taken out of the reaction mixture when taking the
reading.

4. The thermometer reading should be observed throughout the reaction so that the
highest temperature of the reaction mixture can be taken.

Heat of Displacement

1. Polystyrene cups are used because they are poor heat conductors and this prevents heat
loss to the surrounding.

2. Magnesium powder and not Magnesium granules are used to displace Copper from its
salt solution because Magnesium powder has a larger surface area, the reaction will take
a shorter time to complete, thus less heat is lost to the surrounding.

3. Excess Magnesium powder is added to ensure all the copper (II) ions are displaced to
form Copper.

Heat of Combustion

1. Flame from the burning of alcohol must always touch the base of copper can.

2. Thin copper can is used to maximize the transfer of heat as it is a good conductor of heat.

3. Wire gauze is not used because it will absorb some of the heat given out during
combustion.

4. The flame of the lamp is placed as close as possible to the base of the copper can so that
a bigger area of flame can be in contact with the copper can.

5. When the flame has been put out, the lamp must be weighed immediately because
alcohol evaporates easily.

6. Water in copper can must be stirred throughout the whole experiment to ensure that the
temperature of the water is uniform.

7. Windshield is used to shield the flame from air current and to reduce heat loss to
surrounding.