Question

HF(aq) + NaOH → NaF(aq) + H2O(2) AH = -68.6 kJ/mol The high negative value of heat of
reaction is due to:​

Answer 1

Explanation:

For example, in the balanced chemical equation

2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(ℓ)

we recognized the equivalences

2 mol H2 ⇔ 1 mol O2 ⇔ 2 mol H2O

where ⇔ is the mathematical symbol for “is equivalent to.” In our thermochemical equation, however, we have another quantity—energy change:

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(ℓ) ΔH = −570 kJ

This new quantity allows us to add another equivalence to our list:

2 mol H2 ⇔ 1 mol O2 ⇔ 2 mol H2O ⇔ −570 kJ

That is, we can now add an energy amount to the equivalences—the enthalpy change of a balanced chemical reaction. This equivalence can also be used to construct conversion factors so that we can relate enthalpy change to amounts of substances reacted or produced.

Note that these equivalences address a concern. When an amount of energy is listed for a balanced chemical reaction, what amount(s) of reactants or products does it refer to? The answer is that relates to the number of moles of the substance as indicated by its coefficient in the balanced chemical reaction. Thus, 2 mol of H2 are related to −570 kJ, while 1 mol of O2 is related to −570 kJ. This is why the unit on the energy change is kJ, not kJ/mol.

For example, consider the thermochemical equation

H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2 HCl(g) ΔH = −184.6 kJ

The equivalences for this thermochemical equation are

1 mol H2 ⇔ 1 mol Cl2 ⇔ 2 mol HCl ⇔ −184.6 kJ

Suppose we asked how much energy is given off when 8.22 mol of H2 react. We would construct a conversion factor between the number of moles of H2 and the energy given