CHEMICAL ENERGETICS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Describe bond breaking as an endothermic process and
bond forming as an exothermic process
● Draw and label energy level diagrams for exothermic
and endothermic reactions using data provided
● Calculate the energy of a reaction using bond energies
Reactions can be e xo th e rm ic o r e n d o th e rm ic
In re ve rsib le re a ctio n s. If th e re a ctio n is e xo th e rm ic in o n e d ire ctio n it will b e
e n d o th e rm ic in th e o th e r.
Re m e m b e r, a ll ch e m ica ls sto re a ce rta in a m o u n t o f e n e rgy - th is is ca lle d
ch e m ica l e n e rgy. En e rgy ca n n o t b e cre a te d o r d e stro ye d . It ca n o n ly b e m o ve d
a ro u n d .
If th e p ro d u cts o f a re a ctio n sto re m o re e n e rgy th a n th e o rigin a l re a cta n ts m u st
h a ve ga in e d e n e rgy fro m th e o u tsid e . (ENDOTHERMIC). En d o th e rm ic e n e rgy is
sh o wn a s p o sitive b e ca u se e n e rgy is ta ke n in fro m th e su rro u n d in gs.
If th e y sto re le ss, th a t m e a n s th a t th e e xce ss e n e rgy h a s b e e n give n o u t to th e
e n viro n m e n t. (EXOTHERMIC). Exo th e rm ic e n e rgy is sh o wn a s n e ga tive , b e ca u se it
is re le a se d in to th e e n viro n m e n t.
EXOTHERMIC REACTION
- MEANSHEATGIVENOUT
An exothermic reaction is one which transfers energy to the surroundings
usually by heating. This is shown by a rise in temperature.
When we break a chemical bond, this requires energy. Therefore it is
endothermic. When we make bonds, energy is released. Therefore it is
exothermic
Best example:
Combustion: burning fuel . A lot of energy is given out. Very exothermic
Neutralisation reactions: (acid + alkali) are very exothermic
Oxidation reactions: also exothermic. For example group 1 alkali metals with
water. Adding sodium to water releases energy - it must be exothermic.
ENDOTHERMIC REACTION
An endothermic reaction is one which takes in energy from the surroundings.
This is shown by a fall in temperature
Endothermic reactions are less common than exothermic reactions.
1. The reaction between citric acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate
2. Thermal decomposition. Calcium carbonate heated causes it to break
down into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide
CaCO3(s) + HEAT → CO2(g) + CaO(s)
1. Sports injury packs. The chemical reaction allows the pack to become
instantly cooler without having to put it in the freezer
Bond energies
Energy must be supplied to break bonds
During a chemical reaction old bonds are broken and new bonds are made
Energy must be supplied to break existing bonds - so bond breaking is an
endothermic process
Energy is released when new bonds are formed - so bond formation is an
exothermic process
In exothermic reactions lots of energy is given out. In endothermic reactions we
need energy to be supplied.
BOND BOND ENERGY (kJ/mol) Methane + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide and Water
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) +2H2O(g)
H-H 436
Bond energies are a measure of bond strength
C-H 435 The table gives examples of common bonds we come
across frequently. Firstly we divide the equation into left
and right hand side
O-H 464
LEFT side is bond BREAKING (energy is supplied)
C-C 347
Four C-H bonds. 4X435 = 1740 kJ/mol
Two oxygen double bonds. 2X498 = 996 kJ/mol
498 Total energy in= 2736 kJ/mol
RIGHT side is bond MAKING (gives out energy)
803 Two carbon oxygen bonds. 2X803 = 1606 kJ/mol
Four oxygen hydrogen bonds. 4X464 = 1856 kJ/mol
Total energy out = 3462 kJ/mol
949
Heat of reaction = energy difference
ΔH = energy needed to break bonds - energy given out
ΔH = 2736-3462
ΔH = 726 kJ/mol
Another example
Hydrogen + Chlorine → Hydrogen Chloride
Balanced equation is: H 2 + Cl2 → 2HCl
H-H, Cl-Cl, H-Cl
H-H 436 kJ/mol, Cl-Cl 242 kJ/mol, H-Cl 431 kJ/mol
On the left side of the equation we are breaking bonds (+ sign) and on the right
side we are forming new bonds( - sign)
+678 Left side → (431 X 2) = -862
+678 minus -862 = -184 kJ/mol - This is an EXOthermic reaction
Have a go...
Calculate the bond energies
Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water
Balanced equation:
2H 2 + O2 → 2H 2O
H-H Bond Energy 432 kJ/mol
Bond Energy 495 kJ/mol
Bond Energy 467 kJ/mol
Bond Energies
Fuels
Coal, Petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas - fossil fuels
Sources of energy. Limited and non -renewable resources
Demand for energy is increasing -alternatives required
Renewable sources - Solar, Biomass/Biogas, Wind power, Hydroelectric,
Geothermal, Wave
Hydrogen fuel cells
Nuclear energy
Hydrogen as a fuel
When burned -only by product is water
It also produces more energy per gram than petrol, coal, methane etc
Biggest problem is storage and transport - low density, expensive
First used as a fuel in rockets of the space programme
Made by the electrolysis of water - not economical.
Radioactive isotopes as a source of e
Uranium is a heavy metal occurs as isotopes U -238 (99.3%) and
U235 (0.7%). Found in the earth’s crust
It has been used as a source of energy for over half a century
Uranium exists as radioisotopes and is said to be “fissile”.
This means the nucleus can be easily split. WHY?
Because the centre is unstable! Firing one neutron at a uranium atom causes a
chain reaction known as nuclear fission. This results in the unstable larger
nuclei breaking up into smaller nuclei with release of lots of energy