Ch6 lec 2

Sec 6.3 Introduction to Thermodynamics

Skim...

This book chapter is titled "thermochemistry". Thermochemistry is only a small part of a larger field of study called Thermodynamics (taught in Chem 312: Physical Chemistry 1). This section attempt to introduce you MANY additional topics and i personally find it a bit overwhelming...so just skim this section. The following are take home points:

- 1st Law of Thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or destroyed only converted from one form to another.

- the change in (internal) energy (abbreviated ΔU) is a result of either heat (q) being transferred or work (w) being done --> ΔU = q + w <--this is another way of writing the 1st Law.

Sec 6.4 Enthalpy of Chemical Reactions

The term enthalpy, abbreviated ΔH, was discussed in lab. Although this term is derived from the complexity of thermodynamics, it can be thought of as simply the amount of heat given off (or take up) during a chemical reaction...technically...a chemical reaction at constant pressure. All balanced chemical reactions have integer values for stoichiometric coefficients so when the amount of heat given off (or taken up) by a reaction is noted, it is usually given in units of J/mol. Here is an example:

CH₄ (g) + 2 O₂ (g) --> CO₂ (g) + 2 H₂O (l)

The enthalpy for this reaction could be presented in a varity of ways:

1) -890.4 kJ ...for the rxn as shown,

2) -890.4 kJ/mol of CH₄ consumed,

3) -890.4 kJ/2 moles of O₂ consumed, or -445.2 kJ/mol O₂ consumed,

4) -890.4 kJ/mol of CO₂ produced,

5) -890.4 kJ/2 moles of H₂O produced or -445.2 kJ/mol H₂ O produced...

this is why this stuff can be confusing!