Standard Enthalpy Of Formation, Combustion And Bond Dissociation

Standard Enthalpy Of Formation, Combustion And Bond Dissociation

Shivani PooniaUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 06:00 PM IST

Enthalpy of combustion: It is the heat developed when one mole of a substance is completely burnt in oxygen under standard conditions. This quantity becomes very important while assessing the energy content of fuels. Enthalpy of dissociation, ΔHd, is the energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond in a molecule into individual atoms in the gas phase. It provides a measure of the strength and stability of chemical bonds. Enthalpy of atomization, ΔHa, is the energy required to transform one mole of a given compound into its constituent atoms in the gas phase. It, therefore, represents the energy required to break all bonds in a molecule to yield individual atoms.

This Story also Contains

  1. Heat of Combustion
  2. Enthalpy Of Dissociation Or Ionization
  3. Some Solved Examples
  4. Summary
Standard Enthalpy Of Formation, Combustion And Bond Dissociation
Standard Enthalpy of fomation, Combustion and Bond Dissociation

Heat of Combustion

1. It is a change in enthalpy when one mole of a substance is completely oxidized combusted, or burnt.

2. $\Delta \mathrm{H}$ is - ve here as heat is always evolved here that is, exothermic process.

3. Heat of combustion is useful in calculating the calorific value of food and fuels.

4. It is also useful in confirming the structure of organic molecules having C, H, O, N, etc.

5. Enthalpy change by combustion of 1 gm solid,1 gm liquid, or 1 cc gas is called calorific value.

$\begin{aligned} & \text { calorific value }=\frac{\text { Heat of combustion }}{\text { Molecular wt. }} \\ & \Delta \mathrm{H} \text { (heat of reaction) }=-\Sigma \Delta \mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{P}}^{\circ}-\Sigma \mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{R}}^{\circ}\end{aligned}$

transition from liquid to gas.

Enthalpy Of Dissociation Or Ionization

It is defined as, "The quantity of heat absorbed when one mole of a substance is completely dissociated into its ions". Example,

$\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l}) \rightarrow \mathrm{H}^{+}+\mathrm{OH}^{-} \quad \Delta \mathrm{H}=13.7 \mathrm{Kcal}$

Heat Of Atomization

It is the enthalpy change (heat required) when bonds of one mole of a substance are broken down completely to obtain atoms in the gaseous phase (isolated) or it is the enthalpy change when one mole of atoms in the gas phase is formed from the corresponding element in its standard state. In the case of diatomic molecules, it is also called bond dissociation enthalpy.

It is denoted by $\Delta \mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{a}}$ or $\Delta \mathrm{H}^*$.
Example,
$
\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{H}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{H}(\mathrm{g})-435 \mathrm{~kJ} \\
& \Delta \mathrm{H}=+435 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \\
& \mathrm{CH}_4(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{C}(\mathrm{g})+4 \mathrm{H}(\mathrm{g})+1665 \mathrm{~kJ} \\
& \Delta \mathrm{H}=+1665 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}
\end{aligned}
$

Phase Transition And Transition Energy

  • The change of matter from one state (solid, liquid, or gas) to another state is called Phase Transition.

  • Such changes occur at definite temperatures such as melting point (solid to liquid), boiling point (liquid to vapors), etc., and are accompanied by absorption or evolution of heat. The enthalpy change during such phase transitions is called heat of transition or transition energy.

Example, C (diamond) $\rightarrow \mathrm{C}$ (amorphous) $\Delta \mathrm{H}=3.3 \mathrm{Kcal}$

Recommended topic video on (Standard Enthalpy Of Formation, Combustion And Bond Dissociation)

Some Solved Examples

Example 1: Calculate the standard enthalpy of combustion (kJ/mol) of glucose

Given, $\Delta H_f^0 \mathrm{CO}_2=-394 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \Delta H_f^0 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}=-286 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \Delta H_f^0 C_6 H_{12} O_6=-1275 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$,

1)2805

2)-2805

3)1275

4)-1275

Solution

$\Delta H_f^o O_2$ is equal to Zero because O2 is in the standard state.

First, write the balanced equation of the reaction,

$\begin{aligned} & \mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_6+6 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_2+6 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \\ & \Delta H_c=\left(6 * \Delta H_f^0 \mathrm{H}_2 0+6 * \Delta H_f^0 \mathrm{CO}_2\right)-\left(\Delta H_f^0 C_6 H_{12} O_6+6 * \Delta H_f^0 O_2\right) \\ & \Delta H_c=6 \times(-394)+6 \times(-286)-(-1275)-6 \times(0) \\ & \Delta H_c=-2805 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\end{aligned}$

Example 2: At 250C 1 atm pressure, the enthalpies of combustion are as given below:

Substance H2 C (graphite) C2H6(g) $\frac{\Delta_c \mathrm{H}^{\ominus}}{\mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}}$ -286.0 -394.0 -1560.0

The enthalpy of the formation of ethane is

1) $+54.0 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
(2) $-68.0 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
3) $-86.0 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
4) $+97.0 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$

Solution:

Given,
$
\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{H}_2+\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \quad \Delta_{\mathrm{c}} \mathrm{H}=-286 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}----(1) \\
& \mathrm{C}_{(\mathrm{s})}+\mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2 \quad \Delta_{\mathrm{c}} \mathrm{H}=-394 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}----(2)
\end{aligned}
$
$
\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6+\frac{7}{2} \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_2+3 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \quad \Delta_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}=-1560 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}-----
$

The enthalpy of the formation of ethane :
$
2 \mathrm{C}_{(\mathrm{s})}+3 \mathrm{H}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6 \quad \Delta_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}=\text { ? }
$

The formation reaction of ethane can be obtained by $2 \times(2)+3 \times(1)-(3)$
Then,
$
\begin{aligned}
\Delta_f \mathrm{H} \text { of } \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6 & =2 \times(-394)+3 \times(-286)-(-1560) \\
& =-1646+1560 \\
& =-86 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}
\end{aligned}
$

Example 3: At 25oC and 1 atm pressure, the enthalpy of combustion of benzene (l) and acetylene (g) are $-3268 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$ and $-1300 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$.respectively. The change in enthalpy for the reaction $3 \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_6(\mathrm{l})$, is

1) $+324 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
2) $+632 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
3) $-632 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$
4) $-732 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$

Solution
Given, $\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_6(l)+\left(\frac{15}{2}\right) \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_2+3 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \Delta_{\mathrm{c}} \mathrm{H}=-3268 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$
$
\underset{\text { (Acetylene) }}{\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_2(\mathrm{~g})}+\left(\frac{5}{2}\right) \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \Delta_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}=-1300 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}
$

We need to find the enthalpy change of the following reaction
$
3 \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_6 \text { (l), } \Delta_{\mathrm{r}} \mathrm{H}=\text { ? }
$

So, by doing $3 \times(2)-(1)$, we get the required reaction.
Thus, the enthalpy change of the reaction is given as
$
\Delta_{\mathrm{r}} \mathrm{H}=3 \times(-1300)-(-3268)
$

$\Delta_{\mathrm{r}} \mathrm{H}=-632 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$

Example 4: For the combustion of one mole of magnesium in an open container at 300 K and 1 bar pressure, $\mathrm{e}_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}^{\ominus}=-601.70 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$, the magnitude of change in internal energy for the reaction is _____________kJ. (Nearest integer)

(Given : $\mathrm{R}=8.3 \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~K}^{-1} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$ )

1) 600

2)400

3)300

4)0

Solution

Given,
$
\mathrm{T}=300 \mathrm{~K}
$
$\mathrm{P}=1$ bar
$
\begin{aligned}
& \Delta_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}^0=-601.7 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \\
& \mathrm{R}=8.3 \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~K}^{-1} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}
\end{aligned}
$

Reaction of Combustion-
$
\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{s})+\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{O}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \longrightarrow \mathrm{MgO}(\mathrm{s}) \\
& \Delta \mathrm{H}=\Delta \mathrm{U}+\Delta \mathrm{ngRT}
\end{aligned}
$

$
-601.7=\Delta \mathrm{U}\left(\mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}\right)-\frac{1 \times 8.3 \times 300}{2 \times 1000}
$$

On solving-
$
\Delta \mathrm{U}=-600.455 \mathrm{~kJ} \approx-600 \mathrm{~kJ}
$

Hence, the answer is (600).

Example 5: An average person needs about 10000 kJ of energy per day. The amount of glucose (molar mass = 180.0 g mol–1) needed to meet this energy requirement is _________ g.

(Use : $\Delta_{\mathrm{C}} \mathrm{H}$ (glucose) $=-2700 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$ )

1) 667

2)687

3)565

4)45

Solution
Total energy required $=10^4 \mathrm{~kJ}$
Energy obtained from 1 mole of Glucose $=2700 \mathrm{~kJ}$
$\therefore 2700 \mathrm{~kJ}$ is obtained from 180 g Glucose.
$\therefore 10^4 \mathrm{~kJ}$ will be obtained from $\frac{180}{2700} \times 10^4$
$
=667 \mathrm{~g}
$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Summary

The heat of combustion is the heat evolved during the complete oxidation of a substance in oxygen, as in a bomb calorimeter, and gives its energy content as fuel. Enthalpy of dissociation provides the energy required to break specific chemical bonds in a molecule and hence allows estimation of the strength of bonds. The enthalpy of atomization expresses the energy required to break all bonds in a compound to form individual atoms. Finally, enthalpy of change refers to the associated energy of the phase change of the substance; either a melt or boil. Knowing these enthalpies gives an estimate of the changes in energy during the progress of a chemical reaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you explain why some bond dissociation energies (like O-H in water) can vary depending on whether it's the first or second bond being broken?
A:
The bond dissociation energy can vary for subsequent bonds in the same molecule because breaking the first bond changes the electronic environment of the remaining atoms. For example, in water, breaking the first O-H bond requires more energy than breaking the second because the resulting OH radical has a different electronic structure than the original H2O molecule.
Q: How do standard enthalpies of formation relate to the energy changes in chemical reactions?
A:
Standard enthalpies of formation can be used to calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction using Hess's Law. The enthalpy change is the difference between the sum of the enthalpies of formation of the products and the sum of the enthalpies of formation of the reactants, multiplied by their respective stoichiometric coefficients.
Q: Why might the standard enthalpy of combustion per mole of carbon atoms decrease as the length of a hydrocarbon chain increases?
A:
The standard enthalpy of combustion per mole of carbon atoms often decreases (becomes less negative) as hydrocarbon chain length increases because the proportion of C-H bonds to C-C bonds increases. C-H bonds release more energy when broken and reformed into H2O than C-C bonds do when forming CO2.
Q: Can you explain why the standard enthalpy of formation of a diatomic molecule (like H2 or N2) is zero, but its bond dissociation energy is not?
A:
The standard enthalpy of formation of a diatomic molecule in its standard state is zero by definition, as it's already in its elemental form. However, its bond dissociation energy is non-zero because energy is required to break the bond between the atoms. The bond dissociation energy represents the strength of this bond.
Q: How do standard enthalpies of formation and combustion change with temperature?
A:
Standard enthalpies of formation and combustion can change with temperature due to the heat capacity of the substances involved. As temperature increases, the enthalpy values generally become more positive (or less negative) because some of the energy goes into increasing the thermal energy of the molecules.
Q: Why are standard enthalpies of combustion always measured with excess oxygen?
A:
Standard enthalpies of combustion are measured with excess oxygen to ensure complete combustion of the substance. This standardization allows for consistent and comparable results across different compounds, as it guarantees that all of the substance reacts to form the most oxidized products.
Q: Can you use bond dissociation energies to explain why some reactions are endothermic while others are exothermic?
A:
Yes, bond dissociation energies can explain the endo- or exothermic nature of reactions. If more energy is required to break bonds in the reactants than is released by forming bonds in the products, the reaction is endothermic. Conversely, if bond formation releases more energy than bond breaking absorbs, the reaction is exothermic.
Q: How does electron affinity relate to standard enthalpies of formation for ionic compounds?
A:
Electron affinity affects the standard enthalpy of formation of ionic compounds because it represents the energy change when an atom gains an electron to form an anion. A more negative electron affinity of the non-metal contributes to a more negative enthalpy of formation for the ionic compound.
Q: How does the presence of a catalyst affect standard enthalpies of formation or combustion?
A:
A catalyst does not affect the standard enthalpies of formation or combustion. Catalysts change the reaction pathway and lower the activation energy, but they do not alter the overall energy change (ΔH) of the reaction, which is determined by the initial and final states.
Q: Can you use bond dissociation energies to calculate the enthalpy of a reaction?
A:
Yes, you can estimate the enthalpy of a reaction using bond dissociation energies. The process involves calculating the energy required to break bonds in the reactants and the energy released when forming bonds in the products. The difference gives an approximation of the reaction enthalpy.