🥵Thermodynamics Unit 19 – Thermodynamics of Chemical Reactions

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Thermodynamics studies the interrelationships between heat, work, and energy in a system and its surroundings
• System refers to the specific part of the universe under study, while surroundings encompass everything else that can interact with the system
• State functions depend only on the current state of the system, not the path taken to reach that state (enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy)
• Extensive properties depend on the amount of matter in a system (volume, mass), while intensive properties are independent of the amount of matter (temperature, pressure)
• Endothermic reactions absorb heat from the surroundings, while exothermic reactions release heat to the surroundings
• Reversible processes occur infinitely slowly and can be reversed without any change in the system or surroundings, while irreversible processes cannot be reversed without changes
• Adiabatic processes occur without any heat exchange between the system and its surroundings, while isothermal processes occur at constant temperature

Laws of Thermodynamics

• The zeroth law states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are also in thermal equilibrium with each other
• The first law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another
  • Mathematically expressed as $\Delta U = Q + W$, where $\Delta U$ is the change in internal energy, $Q$ is heat, and $W$ is work
• The second law states that the entropy of the universe always increases in spontaneous processes
  • Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system
• The third law states that the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero (0 K) is zero
• Perpetual motion machines violate the laws of thermodynamics and are therefore impossible (first law violation: creating energy; second law violation: decreasing entropy)

Enthalpy and Heat of Reaction

• Enthalpy ($H$) is a state function that represents the total heat content of a system at constant pressure
  • Defined as $H = U + PV$, where $U$ is internal energy, $P$ is pressure, and $V$ is volume
• The change in enthalpy ($\Delta H$) for a reaction is the heat of reaction at constant pressure
  • Exothermic reactions have a negative $\Delta H$, while endothermic reactions have a positive $\Delta H$
• Hess's law states that the overall enthalpy change for a reaction is independent of the route taken
  • Allows for the calculation of $\Delta H$ using standard enthalpies of formation ($\Delta H_f^\circ$)
• The standard enthalpy of formation ($\Delta H_f^\circ$) is the enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states at 1 atm and 25°C
• Calorimetry measures the heat transferred in a chemical or physical process (bomb calorimeter, coffee-cup calorimeter)

Entropy and Spontaneity

• Entropy ($S$) is a state function that quantifies the disorder or randomness in a system
  • Spontaneous processes always result in an increase in the entropy of the universe ($\Delta S_\text{universe} > 0$)
• The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of the universe always increases in spontaneous processes
• The change in entropy ($\Delta S$) for a system can be calculated using the equation $\Delta S = \int \frac{dq_\text{rev}}{T}$, where $dq_\text{rev}$ is the reversible heat transfer and $T$ is the absolute temperature
• Standard molar entropies ($S^\circ$) can be used to calculate the entropy change for a reaction using the equation $\Delta S_\text{reaction}^\circ = \sum S_\text{products}^\circ - \sum S_\text{reactants}^\circ$
• The third law of thermodynamics allows for the determination of absolute entropies and provides a reference point for entropy calculations

Gibbs Free Energy

• Gibbs free energy ($G$) is a state function that combines enthalpy and entropy to determine the spontaneity of a process at constant temperature and pressure
  • Defined as $G = H - TS$, where $H$ is enthalpy, $T$ is absolute temperature, and $S$ is entropy
• The change in Gibbs free energy ($\Delta G$) determines the spontaneity of a process
  • If $\Delta G < 0$, the process is spontaneous; if $\Delta G > 0$, the process is non-spontaneous; if $\Delta G = 0$, the system is at equilibrium
• The standard Gibbs free energy change ($\Delta G^\circ$) can be calculated using standard enthalpies of formation and standard entropies: $\Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ - T\Delta S^\circ$
• The relationship between $\Delta G^\circ$ and the equilibrium constant ($K$) is given by $\Delta G^\circ = -RT \ln K$, where $R$ is the gas constant and $T$ is the absolute temperature
• Gibbs free energy can be used to predict the direction of a reaction and the composition of the reaction mixture at equilibrium

Equilibrium Constants and Reaction Quotients

• The equilibrium constant ($K$) is the ratio of the product of the concentrations of the products raised to their stoichiometric coefficients divided by the product of the concentrations of the reactants raised to their stoichiometric coefficients, all at equilibrium
  • For the general reaction $aA + bB \rightleftharpoons cC + dD$, $K = \frac{[C]^c[D]^d}{[A]^a[B]^b}$
• The reaction quotient ($Q$) has the same form as the equilibrium constant but uses the actual concentrations at any point during the reaction
• The relationship between $K$ and $Q$ determines the direction of the reaction
  • If $Q < K$, the reaction proceeds to the right (towards products); if $Q > K$, the reaction proceeds to the left (towards reactants); if $Q = K$, the system is at equilibrium
• Equilibrium constants can be expressed in terms of concentrations ($K_c$), partial pressures ($K_p$), or activities ($K_a$)
• The value of the equilibrium constant depends on the temperature and the form of the balanced chemical equation

Temperature and Pressure Effects

• The van 't Hoff equation describes the relationship between the equilibrium constant and temperature: $\ln \frac{K_2}{K_1} = -\frac{\Delta H^\circ}{R} \left(\frac{1}{T_2} - \frac{1}{T_1}\right)$
  • For exothermic reactions ($\Delta H^\circ < 0$), increasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left (reactants); for endothermic reactions ($\Delta H^\circ > 0$), increasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right (products)
• Le Chatelier's principle states that when a system at equilibrium is subjected to a stress, the system will shift to counteract the stress and re-establish equilibrium
• Increasing the pressure (decreasing the volume) favors the side of the reaction with fewer moles of gas, while decreasing the pressure (increasing the volume) favors the side with more moles of gas
• Adding a reactant or removing a product shifts the equilibrium to the right (products), while removing a reactant or adding a product shifts the equilibrium to the left (reactants)
• Catalysts do not affect the position of the equilibrium but increase the rate at which equilibrium is reached by lowering the activation energy

Real-World Applications

• Thermodynamic principles are used in the design and optimization of industrial processes (Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis, Contact process for sulfuric acid production)
• Gibbs free energy calculations are used to predict the feasibility and yield of chemical reactions, helping to optimize reaction conditions and product formation
• Entropy considerations are important in understanding the behavior of materials and the efficiency of energy conversion processes (heat engines, refrigerators)
• The study of thermodynamics is crucial for the development of sustainable energy technologies (fuel cells, solar cells, batteries)
• Biochemical processes, such as enzyme-catalyzed reactions and protein folding, rely on thermodynamic principles to maintain life and regulate cellular functions
• Environmental chemistry uses thermodynamic concepts to understand the fate and transport of pollutants, as well as the design of remediation strategies (bioremediation, phytoremediation)
• Materials science employs thermodynamic principles to design and characterize new materials with desired properties (phase transitions, stability, solubility)