Calorimetry, enthalpy, standard state, Hess's Law, and the second law of thermodynamics are all important concepts in the study of thermodynamics and chemical reactions. These principles help us understand the energy changes that occur during reactions and the factors that drive the spontaneity of these processes. By applying these concepts, scientists and engineers can design new reactions, optimize reaction conditions, and develop new materials and products that are essential for various industries and technologies. Understanding these fundamental principles is crucial for advancing our knowledge and applications in the field of chemistry and thermodynamics.The Gibbs free energy is given as the sum of the enthalpy, H, and the temperature, T, times the entropy, S:
G = H - TS
The change in Gibbs free energy, ΔG, for a reaction at a certain temperature determines the
spontaneity of the reaction at that temperature and is given by the equation
ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
If ΔG is:
Negative: the process is spontaneous and may proceed as written. A reaction with a negative ΔG value is called an exergonic reaction.
Positive: the process is non-spontaneous as written, but it may move spontaneously in the reverse direction. A reaction with a positive ΔG value is called an endergonic reaction.
Zero: the process is at equilibrium.
Remember that ΔG will have different values, or even different signs, at different temperatures.
Describe the overall objective and make a hypothesis.
What is the overall purpose of the experiments or activities? Make a hypothesis if applicable.
Hint: The purpose is often stated in the welcome message of the simulation.
Write your answers here:
The overall objective of this simulation is to learn about the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, such as enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy. The simulation also focuses on the challenge of energy storage and explores the use of bomb calorimetry to determine the internal energy of a chemical compound.
Introduce relevant background knowledge on this topic.
What have you learned in class or researched on your own that would help prepare for this simulation?
Hint: You can review the “THEORY” section in the simulation or at if you need help.
Write your answers here:
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics and chemistry that deals with the study of energy and its transformation in systems. It provides a framework for understanding the behavior of gasses, liquids, and solids, as well as the interactions between different forms of energy.
Summarize the steps taken in the simulation.
Explain each step you completed including the equipment and techniques you used.
Hint: You can use the “MISSION” tab in the LabPad as inspiration.
In this simulation, I first familiarized myself with the concepts of enthalpy and entropy by studying the theoretical background provided. I then conducted experiments using bomb calorimetry to determine the internal energy of a chemical compound. This involved setting up the bomb calorimeter, measuring the initial and final temperatures of the reaction, and calculating the heat released or absorbed during the reaction.
I also calculated the standard enthalpy of formation for different compounds and used Hess's Law to determine the overall enthalpy change for a reaction. Finally, I analyzed the Gibbs free energy change for various reactions at different temperatures to determine the spontaneity of the processes.
Using this information, I made predictions and hypotheses about the behavior of the reactions based on the calculated values of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy. This allowed me to deepen my understanding of thermodynamics and chemical reactions and apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.