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According to the IUPAC, an exothermic reaction is "a reaction for which the overall standard enthalpy change ΔH⚬ is negative". [4] Some examples of exothermic process are fuel combustion, condensation and nuclear fission, [5] which is used in nuclear power plants to release large amounts of energy. [6]
In an exothermic reaction, by definition, the enthalpy change has a negative value: ΔH = H products - H reactants < 0. where a larger value (the higher energy of the reactants) is subtracted from a smaller value (the lower energy of the products). For example, when hydrogen burns: 2H 2 (g) + O 2 (g) → 2H 2 O (g) ΔH⚬ = −483.6 kJ/mol [3]
The law states that the total enthalpy change during the complete course of a chemical reaction is independent of the sequence of steps taken. [2] [3] Hess's law is now understood as an expression of the fact that the enthalpy of a chemical process is independent of the path taken from the initial to the final state (i.e. enthalpy is a state ...
Enthalpy (/ ˈ ɛ n θ əl p i / ⓘ) is the sum of a thermodynamic system's internal energy and the product of its pressure and volume. [1] It is a state function in thermodynamics used in many measurements in chemical, biological, and physical systems at a constant external pressure, which is conveniently provided by the large ambient atmosphere.
For many substances, the formation reaction may be considered as the sum of a number of simpler reactions, either real or fictitious. The enthalpy of reaction can then be analyzed by applying Hess' law, which states that the sum of the enthalpy changes for a number of individual reaction steps equals the enthalpy change of the overall reaction.
The enthalpy of solution is most often expressed in kJ/mol at constant temperature. The energy change can be regarded as being made up of three parts: the endothermic breaking of bonds within the solute and within the solvent, and the formation of attractions between the solute and the solvent. An ideal solution has a null enthalpy of mixing.
As another example, to approximate the expansion in an internal combustion engine as reversible, we would be assuming that the temperature and pressure uniformly change throughout the volume after the spark. Obviously, this is not true and there is a flame front and sometimes even engine knocking. One of the reasons that Diesel engines are able ...
Depending on the nature of the process, the free energy is determined differently. For example, the Gibbs free energy change is used when considering processes that occur under constant pressure and temperature conditions, whereas the Helmholtz free energy change is used when considering processes that occur under constant volume and ...