Using Standard Heats of Formation to Calculate ΔH°
Oxyacetylene welding torches burn acetylene gas, C_2H_2(g). Use the information in Table 8.2 to calculate ΔH° in kilojoules for the combustion reaction of acetylene to yield CO_2(g) and H_2O(g).
STRATEGY
Write the balanced equation, look up the appropriate heats of formation for each reactant and product in Table 8.2, and then carry out the calculation, making sure to multiply each ΔH°_{f} by the coefficient given in the balanced equation. Remember also that ΔH°_{f}(O_2) = 0 kJ/mol.
Table 8.2 Standard Heats of Formation for Some Common Substances at 25°C
Substance | Formula | \Delta H^{\circ}_{f} (kJ/mol) | Substance |
Acetylene | C_2H_2(g) | 227.4 | Hydrogen chloride |
Ammonia | NH_3(g) | -46.1 | Iron(III) oxide |
Carbon dioxide | CO_2(g) | -393.5 | Magnesium carbonate |
Carbon monoxide | CO(g) | -110.5 | Methane |
Ethanol | C_2H_5OH(l) | -277.7 | Nitric oxide |
Ethylene | C_2H_4(g) | 52.3 | Water (g) |
Glucose | C_6H_{12}O_6(s) | -1273.3 | Water (l) |
The balanced equation is
2 \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_2(g)+5 \mathrm{O}_2(g) \longrightarrow 4 \mathrm{CO}_2(g)+2 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}(g)The necessary heats of formation from Table 8.2 are
\begin{aligned}& \Delta H^{\circ}{ }_{\mathrm{f}}\left[\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_2(g)\right]=+227.4 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \quad \Delta H^{\circ}{ }_{\mathrm{f}}\left[\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}(g)\right]=-241.8 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} \\& \Delta H^{\circ}{ }_{\mathrm{f}}\left[\mathrm{CO}_2(g)\right]=-393.5 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\end{aligned}The standard enthalpy change for the reaction is