19
Uploaded by
Matthew B Jusuf19
Uploaded by
Matthew B JusufCambridge (CIE) AS Your notes
Chemistry
Hess’s Law
Contents
Hess’s Law
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 1
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 ΔHrfrom ΔHf using Hess’s Law energy
cycles
The products can be directly formed from the elements = ΔH2 OR The products can be
indirectly formed from the elements = ΔH1 + ΔHr
Applying Hess's Law
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 2
Your notes
The enthalpy change from elements to products (direct route) is equal to the enthalpy
change of elements forming reactants and then products (indirect route)
Equation
Δ H2 = Δ H1 + Δ Hr
Therefore,
Δ Hr = Δ H2 – ΔH1
Worked Example
Calculate ΔHr for the following reaction:
2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
The table shows the standard enthalpy of formations, ΔHθf, relevant to this reaction.
Molecule ΔHθf kJ mol-1
NaHCO3 (s) –950.8
Na2CO3 (s) –1130.7
CO2 (g) –393.5
H2O (l) –285.8
Answer
Step 1: Write the balanced equation at the top
Step 2: Draw the cycle with the elements at the bottom
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 3
Your notes
Step 3: Draw in all arrows, making sure they go in the correct directions. Write the
standard enthalpy of formations
Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
ΔHr = ΔH2 – ΔH1
ΔHr = ( ΔHf [Na2CO3 (s)] + ΔHf [CO2 (g)] + ΔHf [H2O (l)] ) – 2ΔHf [NaHCO3 (s)]
ΔHr = ( (–1130.7) + (–393.5) + (–285.8) ) – ( 2 x –950.8)
ΔHr = +91.6 kJ mol-1
Calculating ΔHf from ΔHc using Hess’s Law energy
cycles
The combustion products can be formed directly from elements to combustion
products = ΔH1 OR The combustion products can be formed indirectly from elements to
compounds to combustion products = ΔHf + ΔH2
Hess's Law and combustion enthalpies
The enthalpy change going from elements to products (direct route) is equal to the
enthalpy change of elements forming reactants and then products (indirect route)
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 4
Equation
Δ H1 = Δ Hf + Δ H2 Your notes
Therefore,
Δ Hf = Δ H1 – Δ H2
Worked Example
Calculate, using the standard enthalpy change of combustion values given, the
enthalpy of formation of ethane.
Reaction ΔHc kJ mol-1
C (graphite) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g) –393.5
H2 (g) + ½O2 (g) → H2O (l) –285.8
C2H6 (g) + 3½O2 (g) → 2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l) –1559.7
Answer
Step 1: Write the equation for the enthalpy change of formation at the top and
add oxygen on both sides
Step 2: Draw the cycle with the combustion products at the bottom
Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct direction
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 5
Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
ΔHf = ΔH1 – ΔH2 Your notes
ΔHf = ( (2 x –393.5) + (3 x –285.8) ) – ( –1559.7)
ΔHf = –84.7 kJ mol-1
Calculating average bond energies using Hess's cycles
Bond energies cannot be found directly so enthalpy cycles are used to find the average
bond energy
This can be done using enthalpy changes of atomisation and combustion or formation
The enthalpy change of atomisation (ΔHθat ) is the enthalpy change when one mole of
gaseous atoms is formed from its elements under standard conditions.
E.g. ΔHθat [H2] relates to the equation:
½H2 (g) → H (g)
Worked Example
Calculate the average bond enthalpy of the C–H bond, using the relevant ΔHθf and
ΔHθat values shown in the table.
Energy kJ mol-1
ΔH θ f [CH4 (g)] –74.8
ΔHθat [½H2 (g)] +218
ΔHθat [C (graphite)] +717.7
Answer
Step 1: Write down the equation for the dissociation of methane at the top
Step 2: Write down the elements at the bottom
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 6
Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct direction
Your notes
Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
ΔH = ΔHθat – ΔHf
ΔH = ( (+717.7) + (4 x 218) ) – ( –74.8)
ΔH = +1664.5 kJ mol-1
f
Step 5: Calculate the bond energy for one C–H bond
There there are 4 C-H bonds in methane
+1664 . 5
Average bond enthalpy (C–H) =
4
Average bond enthalpy (C–H) = +416 kJ mol-1 (to 3 significant figures)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember to take into account the number of moles of each reactant and
product.
For example, there are two moles of NaHCO3 (s) so the ΔHf value is multiplied by
2.
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at [Link] 7