Thermochemistry Lecture Notes

Learning Outcomes

• Define and distinguish between different types of energy.
• Describe the nature of energy changes.
• Differentiate between heat, thermal energy, and temperature.
• Define and distinguish between specific heat and heat capacity.
• Perform calculations related to heat capacity.
• Explore calorimetry and related calculations to understand reactions.

Introduction to Thermochemistry

• Focuses on heat absorption or release during chemical and physical changes.
• Analyzes energy transformations, not just stoichiometry.
• Examines how heat moves in reactions and the overall thermochemistry.

Key Definitions

Energy

• Definition: Capacity to supply heat or to do work.
• Central concept in thermochemistry.

Work

• Importance: Causes matter to move against a force.
• Appears often in scenarios like gas expanding against a piston.
• Related to chemical reactions, especially redox reactions.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

• Definition: Energy of motion.

Potential Energy

• Definition: Energy by position.
• Examples:
  • Stored energy (e.g., batteries).
  • Objects at a height before falling.

Law of Conservation of Energy

• Key Principle: Energy can only be transferred, not created.
• Central to understanding energy transformations in chemical reactions.

Focus Areas

• Understanding how different types of energy transform during chemical reactions.
• Applying concepts through practice calculations and experiments such as calorimetry.