Which one of the following statements best describes the enthalpy chan...
The enthalpy change of a reaction is the overall change in enthalpy as a reaction proceeds, taking into account the energy consumed by bond cleavage and the energy liberated by bond formation. The increase in disorder of the system is represented by its entropy, not its enthalpy.
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Which one of the following statements best describes the enthalpy chan...
Understanding Enthalpy Change
Enthalpy change (ΔH) in a chemical reaction reflects the overall energy exchange as reactants transform into products. Option 'C' accurately represents this concept.
Components of Enthalpy Change
- Bond Formation: When products form, chemical bonds are created, releasing energy. This energy release is a crucial part of the enthalpy change.
- Bond Cleavage: Conversely, breaking bonds in the reactants requires energy input, which is an essential factor in determining the overall energy change.
Overall Energy Difference
- Net Energy Calculation: The enthalpy change is essentially the net result of energy released during bond formation versus energy consumed during bond cleavage. This difference can be calculated as:
- Energy Released (during bond formation) - Energy Consumed (during bond breaking)
- Exothermic vs. Endothermic: If the energy released during bond formation surpasses the energy needed for bond breaking, the reaction is exothermic (negative ΔH). If the opposite is true, the reaction is endothermic (positive ΔH).
Conclusion
Option 'C' captures this comprehensive view of enthalpy change, emphasizing that it is the difference between the energy released and consumed during a chemical reaction. This understanding is fundamental in thermodynamics and helps predict the behavior of chemical reactions.