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Hess’s Law (CIE AS Chemistry)

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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

Chemical Energetics Hess Cycles, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

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 ΔHr from 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

1-5-5-enthalpy-change-of-reaction-from-formation-new

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

ΔH2 = ΔH1 + ΔHr

Therefore,

ΔHr = ΔH2 – 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

Chemical Energetics Step 1 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 2: Draw the cycle with the elements at the bottom

Chemical Energetics Step 2 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 3: Draw in all arrows, making sure they go in the correct directions. Write the standard enthalpy of formations

1-5-chemical-energetics-step-3---calculating-the-enthalpy-change-of-formation-1-new

  • Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
    • ΔHr = ΔH2ΔH1
    • 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 

1-5-chemical-energetics-enthalpy-change-elements-to-products

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)

  • Equation

ΔH1 = ΔHf + ΔH2

Therefore,

ΔH= ΔH1 – ΔH2

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

Chemical Energetics Step 1 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 2: Draw the cycle with the combustion products at the bottom

Chemical Energetics Step 2 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct direction

Chemical Energetics Step 3 - Calculating the enthalpy change of formation of ethane, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
    • ΔHf = ΔH1ΔH2
    • 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 Hθat ) 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 
ΔHθf  [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

Chemical Energetics Step 1 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 2: Write down the elements at the bottom

Chemical Energetics Step 2 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 3: Draw all arrows in the correct direction

Chemical Energetics Step 3 - Calculating average C-H bond energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Step 4: Apply Hess’s Law:
    • ΔH = ΔHθat – ΔHf
    • ΔH = ( (+717.7) + (4 x 218) ) – ( –74.8)
    • ΔHf = +1664.5 kJ mol-1 
  • Step 5: Calculate the bond energy for one C–H bond
    • There there are 4 C-H bonds in methane
    • Average bond enthalpy (C–H) = fraction numerator plus 1664.5 over denominator 4 end fraction
    • Average bond enthalpy (C–H) = +416 kJ mol-1 (to 3 significant figures)

Examiner Tip

  • 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.

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Caroline

Author: Caroline

Expertise: Physics Lead

Caroline graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemistry and Molecular Physics. She spent several years working as an Industrial Chemist in the automotive industry before retraining to teach. Caroline has over 12 years of experience teaching GCSE and A-level chemistry and physics. She is passionate about creating high-quality resources to help students achieve their full potential.