Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry
26 - Energetics
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions, Calorimetry
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Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
● Specification Point 3.1
○ Know that chemical reactions in which heat energy is given out are described as exothermic, and
those in which heat energy is taken in are described as endothermic.
● An exothermic reaction is one that gives out heat to the surroundings.
○ Exothermic reactions are accompanied by an increase in temperature.
○ Neutralisations are examples of exothermic reactions.
● An endothermic reaction is one that takes in heat from the surroundings.
○ Endothermic reactions are accompanied by a decrease in temperature.
○ Evaporations and sublimations are examples of endothermic reactions.
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During exothermic reactions, energy is given out as heat.
A neutralisation reaction between an acid and a base is an example of an exothermic reaction.
ENERGY IN → → ENERGY OUT
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During exothermic reactions, energy is
given out as heat.
A neutralisation reaction between an
acid and a base is an example of an
exothermic reaction.
4
During endothermic reactions, heat
energy is taken in from the environment.
The evaporation of liquid water is an
example of an endothermic reaction.
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Enthalpy Change and Calorimetry
● Specification Points 3.2 and 3.8
○ Describe simple calorimetry experiments for reactions such as combustion, displacement, dissolving and
neutralisation.
○ Practical: investigate temperature changes accompanying some of the following types of change: salts
dissolving in water, neutralisation reactions, displacement reactions and combustion reactions.
● The amount of energy transferred during a chemical reaction is referred to as the
enthalpy change (ΔH).
○ Enthalpy change is measured in kJ/mol.
○ Reactions with a positive enthalpy value are endothermic.
○ Reactions with a negative enthalpy value are exothermic.
● Calorimetry is a technique used to measure enthalpy change.
○ Calorimetry involves measuring the temperature change that occurs during a chemical reaction.
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Calorimetry and Solutions
● Calorimetry can be used to measure the enthalpy
change that occurs when 2 solutions are mixed THERMOMETER
together.
○ This is commonly seen during neutralisation reactions.
1. Heat separate beakers of 0.1 mol/dm3 hydrochloric
acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to 25°C.
a. This can be achieved using a water bath.
2. Combine the HCl and the NaOH to a polystyrene COTTON WOOL
cup.
a. Add a lid to the cup and surround with cotton wool to minimise heat
loss to the environment.
POLYSTYRENE CUP
3. Measure the increase in temperature using a WITH SOLUTION OF
HCl AND NaOH
thermometer.
a. Measure the temperature every 20 seconds and record the
highest temperature.
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Calorimetry and Combustion
● Calorimetry can also be used to measure the enthalpy IGNITION WIRES
change that occurs when a fuel is burnt in oxygen (O2).
○ This is referred to as the enthalpy of combustion.
○ This method involves the use of a metal container, referred to as a bomb STIRRER THERMOMETER
calorimeter.
1. Add a known mass of fuel to the metal container.
a. Being an excellent conductor of heat, this is usually made out of copper.
2. Submerge the metal container in a larger container.
a. Fill this container with a known volume of water.
3. Ignite the fuel and measure the increase in temperature of
the surrounding water, using a thermometer.
a. Stop the experiment once the temperature has risen by about 20°C. COPPER
CONTAINER
4. Reweigh the fuel to see how much mass has been lost.
a. This can be used to calculate the enthalpy change. FUEL
● Calorimetry video.
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Calculating Enthalpy Change
● Specification Point 3.3
○ Calculate the heat energy change from a measured temperature change using the expression Q = mcΔT.
● The amount of energy transferred during a combustion reaction can be calculated
using the following equation:
Q = heat energy transferred in joules.
m = the mass of water heated in grams.
c = the specific heat capacity of water (measured in
J/g/°C).
ΔT = the temperature change in °C.
● Water has a specific heat capacity of 4.2 J/g/°C.
○ This means it takes 4.2 joules of energy to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C.
○ 1 gram of water is equivalent to 1 ml.
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Assume that 24.8 grams of butane were used to heat a bowl of water
containing 250 ml from 25°C to 90°C.
Calculate the heat energy change per gram of fuel.
1. Calculate the temperature change of the water (ΔT); 90 - 25 = 65°C.
2. Use the equation: Q = m × c × ΔT; 250 × 4.2 × 65 = 68,250 J.
3. Calculate the heat energy per gram; 68,250 ÷ 24.8 = 2752 J/g.
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Molar Enthalpy Change
● Specification Point 3.4
○ Calculate the molar enthalpy change (ΔH) from the heat energy change, Q.
● It is also possible to calculate the heat energy change from a reaction per mole.
○ This is referred to as the molar enthalpy change.
1. Calculate the heat energy change from the reaction (Q).
a. From the previous example this was 68,250 J.
2. Calculate how many moles of fuel were present.
a. The Mr of butane (C4H10) is 58.
b. Moles = mass ÷ Mr (24.8 ÷ 58 = 0.43 moles).
3. Calculate the amount of energy transferred by 1 mole of fuel.
a. As this reaction is exothermic, there will be a negative enthalpy value.
b. 68,250 ÷ 0.43 = -158,721 J/mol or -158.7 kJ/mol.
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As the combustion of
butane is an exothermic
reaction, the molar
enthalpy change will have
a negative value.
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