Enthalpy of Solution - Ionic Charge & Radius (Edexcel International A Level Chemistry)

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Enthalpy of Solution - Ionic Charge & Radius

Factors affecting lattice enthalpy

  • The two key factors which affect lattice energy, ΔHlatt, are the charge and radius of the ions that make up the crystalline lattice

Ionic radius

  • The lattice energy becomes less exothermic as the ionic radius of the ions increases
  • This is because the charge on the ions is more spread out over the ion when the ions are larger
  • The ions are also further apart from each other in the lattice
    • The attraction between ions is between the centres of the ions involved, so the bigger the ions the bigger the distance between the centre of the ions

  • Therefore, the electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions in the lattice are weaker
  • For example, the lattice energy of caesium fluoride (CsF) is less exothermic than the lattice energy of potassium fluoride (KF)
    • Since both compounds contain a fluoride (F-) ion, the difference in lattice energy must be due to the caesium (Cs+) ion in CsF and potassium (K+) ion in KF
    • Potassium is a Group 1 and Period 4 element
    • Caesium is a Group 1 and Period 6 element
    • This means that the Cs+ ion is larger than the K+ ion
    • There are weaker electrostatic forces of attraction between the Cs+ and F- ions compared to K+ and F- ions
    • As a result, the lattice energy of CsF is less exothermic than that of KF

Chemical Energetics - Lattice Energies against Ionic Radius, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The lattice energies get less exothermic as the ionic radius of the ions increases

Ionic charge

  • The lattice energy gets more exothermic as the ionic charge of the ions increases
  • The greater the ionic charge, the higher the charge density
  • This results in stronger electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions in the lattice
  • As a result, the lattice energy is more exothermic
  • For example, the lattice energy of calcium oxide (CaO) is more exothermic than the lattice energy of potassium chloride (KCl)
    • Calcium oxide is an ionic compound which consists of calcium (Ca2+) and oxide (O2-) ions
    • Potassium chloride is formed from potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) ions
    • The ions in calcium oxide have a greater ionic charge than the ions in potassium chloride
    • This means that the electrostatic forces of attraction are stronger between the Ca2+and O2- compared to the forces between K+ and Cl-
    • Therefore, the lattice energy of calcium oxide is more exothermic, as more energy is released upon its formation from its gaseous ions
    • Ca2+ and O2- are also smaller ions than K+ and Cl-, so this also adds to the value for the lattice energy being more exothermic

Factors affecting enthalpy of hydration 

  • Hydration enthalpies are exothermic as energy is given out as water molecules bond to the metal ions
  • The negative ions are attracted to the δ+ hydrogens on the polar water molecules and the positive ions are attracted to the δ- oxygen on the polar water molecules
  • The higher the charge density the greater the hydration enthalpy (e.g. smaller ions or ions with larger charges) as the ions attract the water molecules more strongly, for example:
  • Fluoride ions, F-,  have more negative hydration enthalpies than chloride ions, Cl-
  • Magnesium ions, Mg2+, have a more negative hydration enthalpy than barium ion, Ba2+

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Philippa

Author: Philippa

Expertise: Chemistry

Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener.