Q.Given N2(g)+3H2(g)→2NH3(g); ΔrH=−92.4 kJ mol−1. What is the standard enthalpy of formation of NH3 gas?
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Standard Enthalpy of Formation: From Intuition to Definition
Imagine you're building a house. You don't start from a finished house — you start from raw materials: bricks, cement, wood, steel. The cost of assembling those raw materials into the final house is a useful number. In chemistry, we do the same thing with compounds.
Every chemical compound is made from elements in their natural, most stable forms. The standard enthalpy of formation (ΔfH∘) is the energy change when you build one mole of a compound from its elements, with everything in their standard states.
The Intuition First
Think of it as the "birth certificate" energy of a compound. It tells you:
- How much energy is released or absorbed when the compound is formed from scratch.
- Whether the compound is more stable (lower energy) or less stable (higher energy) than the elements it came from.
If ΔfH∘ is negative, the compound is more stable than its elements — energy was released during formation. If positive, the compound is less stable — energy had to be absorbed to force the elements together.
The Precise Definition
ΔfH∘=enthalpy change when 1 mole of a compound is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states, under standard conditions (1 bar pressure, specified temperature, usually 298 K)
Key points to lock in:
- Exactly 1 mole of the compound is formed — not 2, not 0.5.
- Elements in their standard states — this means the most stable physical form of the element at 1 bar and the given temperature. For example:
- Carbon: graphite (not diamond)
- Oxygen: O2(g) (not O3)
- Hydrogen: H2(g)
- Bromine: Br2(l) (liquid at room temperature)
- Standard conditions: 1 bar pressure (not 1 atm — slight difference, but in most exams they treat them as equivalent unless specified). Temperature is usually 298 K (25°C), but can be any specified temperature.
The Critical Rule: Elements Have Zero Formation Enthalpy
The standard enthalpy of formation of any element in its standard state is zero by definition.
This is not a measurement — it's a convention. We set the zero point of the energy scale at the most stable form of each element. So:
- ΔfH∘ of O2(g) = 0
- ΔfH∘ of C(graphite) = 0
- ΔfH∘ of Br2(l) = 0
But ΔfH∘ of O3(g) is not zero — ozone is not the standard state of oxygen.
Worked Example: Water
Write the formation reaction for liquid water:
H2(g)+21O2(g)→H2O(l)
The ΔfH∘ for H2O(l) is −285.8 kJ/mol.
What does this tell you? When 1 mole of water is formed from hydrogen gas and oxygen gas (both in their standard states), 285.8 kJ of heat is released. The water molecule is more stable than the separate elements.
Common Mistake to Avoid …
Concept: Standard enthalpy of formation (ΔfH∘) is the enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their standard states.
The given reaction produces 2 moles of NH3, with ΔrH=−92.4 kJ mol−1.
For one mole of NH3, the enthalpy change is half of this value: …
The standard enthalpy of formation of a compound is the enthalpy change when one mole of it is formed from its elements in their standard states. For NH₃, the given reaction produces two moles, so the formation enthalpy is half of ΔrH: -46.2 kJ mol⁻¹.
The key here is to not confuse the enthalpy change of a reaction with the standard enthalpy of formation. They are related, but not the same thing.
The standard enthalpy of formation, ΔfH∘, is defined for the formation of exactly one mole of a compound from its constituent elements in their standard states. For ammonia (NH₃), the formation reaction would be:
21N2(g)+23H2(g)→NH3(g)
Notice the coefficients: they are fractions, because we only want one mole of product.
The reaction you are given produces two moles of NH₃:
N2(g)+3H2(g)→2NH3(g)ΔrH=−92.4 kJ mol−1
The ΔrH here is the enthalpy change for the reaction as written — for the formation of two moles of NH₃. To get the enthalpy change per mole of NH₃, you simply divide by 2.
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Identify the target. We need ΔfH∘ for NH₃(g). That is the enthalpy change for forming 1 mole of NH₃ from N₂ and H₂ in their standard states.
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Relate the given reaction to the target. The given reaction forms 2 moles of NH₃. So the enthalpy change for forming 1 mole is half of the given ΔrH.
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Perform the calculation. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 30 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.The ΔfH⊖ of AO(g), AO2(g), B2O(g) and B2O4(g) is respectively −110,−393,+81 and +9.7kJmol−1. What is ΔrH⊖ (in kJmol−1) of the following reaction at 298 K? B2O4(g)+3AO(g)→B2O(g)+3AO2(g) (A) −777.7 (B) −1179 (C) +777.7 (D) +1179
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Hess's law applied to a reaction written as a linear combination of formation reactions. ΔrH⊖=−777.7 kJmol−1.
Concept and Intuition
Any reaction's standard enthalpy can be built from the standard enthalpies of formation of every species, because ΔH is a state function — it doesn't matter what path you imagine to reach the products, only where you start and end. For a reaction aW→bX, that path is: decompose the reactants into their elements (undoing formation, so with a − sign), then reform the products from elements (using formation values with a + sign):
ΔrH⊖=∑productsνΔfH⊖−∑reactantsνΔfH⊖
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the reaction: B2O4(g)+3AO(g)→B2O(g)+3AO2(g).
- List the given formation enthalpies: ΔfH⊖[AO]=−110, ΔfH⊖[AO2]=−393, ΔfH⊖[B2O]=+81, ΔfH⊖[B2O4]=+9.7 (all kJmol−1).
- Sum for products: ΔfH⊖[B2O]+3ΔfH⊖[AO2]=81+3(−393)=81−1179=−1098 kJ. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.At T(K), enthalpy of combustion of C(s), H2(g) and CH4(g) are −393.5, −286, −890 kJ mol−1 respectively. What is the enthalpy of formation of methane (in kJ mol−1)? (A) 54.6 (B) -75.5 (C) 99.7 (D) 89.6
›Reveal solutionSolution
Hess's-law combination of the three combustion enthalpies (C, H2, CH4) gives the formation enthalpy of methane as −75.5 kJ/mol.
Concept and Intuition
The enthalpy of formation of methane, C(s)+2H2(g)→CH4(g), cannot be measured directly (carbon doesn't cleanly react with hydrogen to give pure methane in a calorimeter), so it is obtained indirectly via Hess's law using combustion data, since combustion enthalpies of all three substances (C, H2, CH4) are easy to measure directly by burning them in oxygen.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the three given combustion reactions:
- C(s)+O2(g)→CO2(g), ΔH1=−393.5 kJ/mol
- H2(g)+21O2(g)→H2O(l), ΔH2=−286 kJ/mol
- CH4(g)+2O2(g)→CO2(g)+2H2O(l), ΔH3=−890 kJ/mol
- Target reaction: C(s)+2H2(g)→CH4(g), ΔHf=? …
- Write the three given combustion reactions:
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.Combustion of methane gives CO2(g) and H2O(l). What is enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⊖ in kJ mol−1) of CH4(g) at 298 K? (ΔfH⊖(CH4(g))=−x kJ mol−1; ΔfH⊖(CO2(g))=−y kJ mol−1; ΔfH⊖(H2O(l))=−z kJ mol−1) (A) −(y+2z−x) (B) (2z−y+x) (C) (2z+x−y) (D) −(2y+z+x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Enthalpy of reaction = sum of ΔfH⊖(products) − sum of ΔfH⊖(reactants), remembering O2(g) (an element in its standard state) contributes zero. The result simplifies to −(y+2z−x).
Concept and Intuition
Hess's law lets us compute a reaction's enthalpy purely from tabulated standard enthalpies of formation, since enthalpy is a state function and doesn't depend on the path taken. Elements in their standard reference state (like O2(g) here) are defined to have ΔfH⊖=0, since "forming" an element from itself involves no change.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the balanced combustion equation: CH4(g)+2O2(g)→CO2(g)+2H2O(l).
- Apply Hess's law: ΔcH⊖=[ΔfH⊖(CO2)+2ΔfH⊖(H2O)]−[ΔfH⊖(CH4)+2ΔfH⊖(O2)]. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.For the reaction, 2Al2O3(s)→4Al(s)+3O2(g), ΔH=3340 kJ. What is the enthalpy of formation of Al2O3(s) (in kJ)? (A) +1670 (B) −3340 (C) +3340 (D) −1670
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests scaling a given reaction enthalpy to a per-mole basis and then reversing it to get the enthalpy of formation. The enthalpy of formation of Al2O3(s) is −1670 kJ.
Concept and Intuition
Enthalpy of formation refers strictly to forming one mole of compound from its elements in their standard states. Given data for a different stoichiometry (here, decomposition of 2 mol), you must first scale to 1 mole, and then flip the sign if the given reaction runs the opposite direction (decomposition vs. formation) — by Hess's law, ΔHdecomposition=−ΔHformation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: 2Al2O3(s)→4Al(s)+3O2(g), ΔH=+3340 kJ (this is decomposition of 2 mol Al2O3, and it's endothermic as written since forming the stable oxide releases energy, so breaking it apart consumes energy). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.What is the bond enthalpy (in kJ mol−1) of C-H in ethane? (ΔfH⊖(C2H6(g))=−85 kJ mol−1; H2(g)→2H(g); ΔaH⊖=435 kJ mol−1; C(s)→C(g); ΔaH⊖=715 kJ mol−1 ΔaH⊖(C−C)=347 kJ mol−1) (A) 412.2 (B) 402.8 (C) 390.7 (D) 380.6
›Reveal solutionSolution
Ethane's formation enthalpy is decomposed into atomisation energies of C and H₂ minus the total bond energy released forming all its C–C and C–H bonds; solving for the unknown C–H bond enthalpy gives the answer.
Concept and Intuition
Think of forming C2H6(g) in two steps: first atomise 2 mol C(s) and 3 mol H₂(g) into free gaseous atoms (costs energy, the atomisation enthalpies), then let those atoms bond together into one ethane molecule (releases energy equal to the sum of all bond enthalpies formed: one C–C bond and six C–H bonds). The net of these two steps must equal the known ΔfH of ethane — Hess's law via a bond-enthalpy cycle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Atomisation step (energy absorbed): 2×ΔaH(C)+3×ΔaH(H2)=2(715)+3(435)=1430+1305=2735 kJ/mol.
- Bond-formation step (energy released) forming C2H6 from atoms: ΔaH(C-C)+6×BE(C-H)=347+6x. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.What is ΔrH⊖ (in kJ mol−1) for the following reaction at 298 K? C3H8(g)+5O2(g)→3CO2(g)+4H2O(l) (Given: ΔfH⊖ of C3H8(g),CO2(g) and H2O(l) is −104,−393 and −285 kJ mol−1 respectively) (A) +2215 (B) -2215 (C) -2427 (D) -2323
›Reveal solutionSolution
A standard Hess's-law combustion enthalpy calculation using given formation enthalpies gives ΔrH⊖=−2215 kJ/mol.
Concept and Intuition
The standard enthalpy of a reaction can always be obtained from the standard enthalpies of formation of reactants and products, since enthalpy is a state function (Hess's law): ΔrH⊖=∑npΔfH⊖(products)−∑nrΔfH⊖(reactants). Elements in their standard states (like O2(g) here) have ΔfH⊖=0 by definition.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Balanced reaction: C3H8(g)+5O2(g)→3CO2(g)+4H2O(l).
- Sum of products' formation enthalpies: 3(−393)+4(−285)=−1179+(−1140)=−2319 kJ.
- Sum of reactants' formation enthalpies: (−104)+5(0)=−104 kJ.
- ΔrH⊖=(−2319)−(−104)=−2319+104=−2215 kJ/mol. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following reaction CaCO3(s)→CaO(s)+CO2(g)−178 kJ. The standard enthalpy of formation of CaCO3(s) and CO2(g) is −1207 and −393 kJmol−1 respectively. What is ΔfH⊖ (in kJmol−1) of CaO(s)? (A) −636 (B) +636 (C) −814 (D) +814
›Reveal solutionSolution
Applying Hess's law to the calcination reaction (an endothermic decomposition, ΔrH=+178 kJ) and the given ΔfH values for CaCO3 and CO2 gives ΔfH(CaO)=−636 kJ/mol.
Concept and Intuition
The decomposition of limestone, CaCO3(s)→CaO(s)+CO2(g), is a well-known endothermic reaction (calcination requires heating). When such an equation is written with a heat term subtracted on the product side (an older textbook convention: "reactants → products − Q" means heat Q is absorbed, i.e. ΔrH=+Q), it is equivalent to the modern convention ΔrH=+178 kJ/mol. Hess's law then lets us find any one enthalpy of formation if the others and the reaction enthalpy are known.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: CaCO3(s)→CaO(s)+CO2(g), with ΔrH=+178 kJ/mol (endothermic, matching the physical process).
- Hess's law: ΔrH=ΔfH(CaO)+ΔfH(CO2)−ΔfH(CaCO3).
- Substitute known values: 178=ΔfH(CaO)+(−393)−(−1207).
- Simplify: 178=ΔfH(CaO)−393+1207=ΔfH(CaO)+814. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following reaction CCl4(g)→C(g)+4Cl(g)−1304 kJ. What is ΔvapH⊖ of CCl4(l) (in kJmol−1)? [Given: ΔfH⊖(CCl4(l))=−135.5 kJmol−1, ΔaH⊖(C)=715 kJmol−1, ΔaH⊖(Cl2)=242 kJmol−1] (A) +272.5 (B) −30.5 (C) −272.5 (D) +30.5
›Reveal solutionSolution
A Hess's-law thermochemical cycle linking CCl4(l), CCl4(g), and the fully atomized elements gives ΔvapH(CCl4)=+30.5 kJ/mol — consistent with the known real vaporization enthalpy of carbon tetrachloride (~30 kJ/mol).
Concept and Intuition
We want ΔvapH for CCl4(l)→CCl4(g). We're given the atomization of gaseous CCl4 (CCl4(g)→C(g)+4Cl(g), endothermic, physically ΔH=+1304 kJ/mol — bond-breaking always costs energy, so the "−1304" in the problem uses the same "heat absorbed" notation as the calcination reaction), the formation enthalpy of liquid CCl4, and atomization enthalpies of carbon (graphite → gas) and of Cl2 (molecule → 2 atoms). We build two equivalent thermochemical paths from graphite + chlorine gas to fully atomized carbon and chlorine, and equate them.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Target unknown: CCl4(l)ΔvapHCCl4(g).
- Given atomization of gaseous CCl4: CCl4(g)→C(g)+4Cl(g), ΔH=+1304 kJ/mol (endothermic — breaking 4 C–Cl bonds).
- Given: ΔfH(CCl4,l)=−135.5 kJ/mol, i.e. C(gr)+2Cl2(g)→CCl4(l), ΔH=−135.5.
- Given atomization enthalpies: C(gr)→C(g), ΔaH=+715 kJ/mol; Cl2(g)→2Cl(g), ΔaH=+242 kJ/mol (per mole Cl2), so for 2 mol Cl2→4Cl(g): 2×242=484 kJ.
- Direct path (graphite + Cl2 straight to atoms): C(gr)+2Cl2(g)→C(g)+4Cl(g): ΔH=715+484=1199 kJ. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.One mole of C2H5OH(l) was completely burnt in oxygen to form CO2(g) and H2O(l). The standard enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⊖) of C2H5OH(l), CO2(g) and H2O(l) is x,y,z kJ mol−1 respectively. What is ΔrH⊖ (in kJ mol−1) for this reaction? (A) (2y+3z+x) (B) (2y−3z+x) (C) (x−2y−3z) (D) (2y+3z−x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Hess's law / the standard formula ΔrH⊖=∑ΔfH⊖(products)−∑ΔfH⊖(reactants) for ethanol combustion, giving 2y+3z−x.
Concept and Intuition
Any reaction's standard enthalpy can be built from the standard enthalpies of formation of all species involved, since enthalpy is a state function; elements in their standard reference state (like O2(g)) contribute zero to this sum by definition.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the balanced combustion equation: C2H5OH(l)+3O2(g)⟶2CO2(g)+3H2O(l).
- Apply Hess's law: ΔrH⊖=[2ΔfH⊖(CO2)+3ΔfH⊖(H2O)]−[ΔfH⊖(C2H5OH)+3ΔfH⊖(O2)]. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The standard enthalpy of formation of C2H4(g), CO2(g) and H2O(ℓ) are 52, -394 and -286 kJ mol−1 respectively. The heat evolved by burning 7 g of C2H4(g) is (A) 353 kJ (B) 1412 kJ (C) 706 kJ (D) 1306 kJ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Hess's law gives ΔHcomb=−1412 kJ/mol for C2H4; scaling to 7 g (a quarter mole) gives 353 kJ evolved.
Concept and Intuition
The enthalpy of combustion can be computed from standard enthalpies of formation via ΔHrxn=∑ΔHf∘(products)−∑ΔHf∘(reactants) Once we know the heat released per mole of fuel burned, we scale it to the actual mass burned using the molar mass.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Balanced combustion equation: C2H4(g)+3O2(g)→2CO2(g)+2H2O(ℓ)
- Apply Hess's law: ΔHcomb=[2ΔHf(CO2)+2ΔHf(H2O)]−[ΔHf(C2H4)+3ΔHf(O2)]
- ΔHf(O2)=0 (element in standard state). Substituting values: ΔHcomb=[2(−394)+2(−286)]−[52+0]=[−788−572]−52=−1360−52=−1412 kJ/mol
- Molar mass of C2H4 =2(12)+4(1)=28 g/mol. Moles in 7 g: n=287=0.25 mol …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.The value of ΔrH for the reaction N2O4(g)+3CO(g)⟶N2O(g)+3CO2(g) (in kJ) is (Given : Enthalpies of formation of CO(g), CO2(g), N2O(g) and N2O4(g) are respectively −110,−393,81 and 9.7kJmol−1) (A) +678 (B) -678 (C) -778 (D) +578
›Reveal solutionSolution
Applying Hess's law (ΔrH=∑ΔfHproducts−∑ΔfHreactants) to this reaction gives ΔrH≈−778 kJ.
Concept and Intuition
By Hess's law, the enthalpy of any reaction can be computed from tabulated standard enthalpies of formation, since enthalpy is a state function:
ΔrH=∑npΔfH⊖(products)−∑nrΔfH⊖(reactants)
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: N2O4(g)+3CO(g)→N2O(g)+3CO2(g).
- Products sum: ΔfH(N2O)+3ΔfH(CO2)=81+3(−393)=81−1179=−1098 kJ.
- Reactants sum: ΔfH(N2O4)+3ΔfH(CO)=9.7+3(−110)=9.7−330=−320.3 kJ. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.The enthalpy of formation of CO2(g) and H2O(l) are −393.5 and −286 kJ mol−1 respectively. If the heat of combustion of CH3OH(l) is −749 kJ mol−1, the enthalpy of formation of CH3OH(l) (in kJ mol−1) is (A) +216.5 (B) −216.5 (C) −355.5 (D) +355.5
›Reveal solutionSolution
This uses Hess's law with the combustion enthalpy to back-calculate the enthalpy of formation of methanol, giving −216.5kJmol−1.
Concept and Intuition
Hess's law states that ΔHreaction=∑ΔHf(products)−∑ΔHf(reactants), regardless of the path. Since O2(g) is an element in its standard state, its ΔHf=0 and drops out.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Combustion reaction: CH3OH(l)+23O2(g)→CO2(g)+2H2O(l).
- ΔHcomb=[ΔHf(CO2)+2ΔHf(H2O)]−[ΔHf(CH3OH)+23×0].
- Substitute: −749=[−393.5+2(−286)]−ΔHf(CH3OH). …
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