Q.The enthalpies of all elements in their standard states are:
Concept understanding — Standard Enthalpy of Formation
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
Do NOT write the formation reaction with coefficients other than those that produce exactly 1 mole of product. For example, writing 2H2+O2→2H2O gives the enthalpy change for 2 moles of water — that's not the standard enthalpy of formation. You must divide by 2.
Also, the product must be in its standard state. For water, that's liquid at 298 K — not steam (H2O(g)). The formation enthalpy of steam is different (−241.8 kJ/mol).
Why This Concept Matters
Standard enthalpies of formation are the building blocks of thermochemistry. Once you have a table of ΔfH∘ values for common compounds, you can calculate the enthalpy change for any reaction using Hess's law:
ΔrH∘=∑ΔfH∘(products)−∑ΔfH∘(reactants)
This is the single most powerful tool in thermochemistry — and it all rests on the definition you just learned.
If you've searched "Standard Enthalpy of Formation class 11 chemistry notes" or "Standard Enthalpy of Formation NCERT solutions", this page covers exactly that ground — the concept is a standard part of the Class 11 Chemistry NCERT/CBSE syllabus. It also carries real weight in JEE Main, NEET and state CET Chemistry papers, where questions on standard enthalpy of formation test both conceptual understanding and calculation speed.
The key idea is the Standard Enthalpy of Formation convention: the enthalpy of the most stable form of an element in its standard state is defined as zero. This provides a consistent reference point for all thermochemical calculations.
- By definition, the standard enthalpy of formation (ΔfH∘) of an element in its standard state is zero.
- "Standard state" means the pure element at 1 bar pressure and the specified temperature (usually 298 K), in its most stable physical form (e.g., graphite for carbon, O2(g) for oxygen).
- Therefore, the enthalpy of all elements in their standard states is assigned a value of zero, not unity, not negative, and not different for each element.
The value is zero.
The standard enthalpy of formation of any element in its standard state is defined as zero. This is a convention that sets a reference point for all enthalpy calculations. Therefore, the correct answer is (ii) zero.
The question asks about the enthalpies of elements in their standard states. This is a fundamental concept in thermochemistry, and the answer hinges on understanding what "standard state" means and how we define enthalpy changes.
The Concept: Why Zero?
Enthalpy (H) is a state function, but we can never measure its absolute value. We can only measure changes in enthalpy (ΔH). To make these changes meaningful and comparable, we need a common reference point.
The Standard Enthalpy of Formation (ΔHf∘) of a compound is defined as the enthalpy change when one mole of the compound is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states under standard conditions (1 bar pressure, usually 298 K).
For this definition to work, we must assign a value to the enthalpy of the elements themselves. By international convention, the standard enthalpy of formation of an element in its most stable allotropic form at 1 bar and the specified temperature is taken as zero.
This is a convention, not a discovery. It's like setting sea level as zero for measuring altitude. It doesn't mean the element has no internal energy; it means we've chosen it as the baseline.
Step-by-Step Reasoning
-
Identify the core principle. The question is about the "enthalpies of all elements in their standard states." This directly refers to the standard enthalpy of formation (ΔHf∘) of the elements themselves.
-
Recall the definition. The standard enthalpy of formation of a substance is the enthalpy change when 1 mole of that substance is formed from its elements in their standard states. For an element in its standard state, "forming it from itself" involves no chemical change.
-
Apply the convention. Since there is no chemical reaction involved in "forming" an element from itself, the enthalpy change is zero. By definition, we set ΔHf∘=0 for all elements in their standard states.
-
Consider the exceptions (the nuance). The phrase "most stable allotropic form" is crucial. For example:
- Carbon in the form of graphite has ΔHf∘=0.
- Carbon in the form of diamond has ΔHf∘=+1.9 kJ/mol (because it is not the most stable form at standard conditions).
- Oxygen gas (O2) has ΔHf∘=0.
- Ozone gas (O3) has ΔHf∘=+142.7 kJ/mol.
A common mistake is to think that all forms of an element have zero enthalpy. Only the most stable form at standard conditions has ΔHf∘=0. Other allotropes have non-zero values.
- Evaluate the options.
- (i) unity: Incorrect. The value is not 1.
- (ii) zero: Correct. This is the standard convention.
- (iii) < 0: Incorrect. The value is exactly zero, not negative.
- (iv) different for each element: Incorrect. While different elements have different absolute enthalpies, the convention sets them all to zero for their standard states.
Think of it like a bank account. You can't know the total money in the world, but you can track deposits and withdrawals. Setting the "balance" of elements to zero is like opening a new account with a zero balance. All transactions (reactions) are then measured relative to that starting point.
The correct option is (ii) zero.
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.
- Sum for reactants: ΔfH⊖[B2O4]+3ΔfH⊖[AO]=9.7+3(−110)=9.7−330=−320.3 kJ.
- Subtract: ΔrH⊖=−1098−(−320.3)=−1098+320.3=−777.7 kJmol−1.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to multiply the stoichiometric coefficient (3) into both AO and AO2 terms.
- Sign errors when subtracting a negative reactant sum (dropping the double negative).
- Swapping products and reactants in the Hess's-law subtraction.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — −777.7 kJmol−1.
ANSWER: A
- 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=?
- Combine: [reaction 1] + 2×[reaction 2] − [reaction 3] gives exactly the target reaction (the O2 and CO2, H2O terms all cancel — verify by adding: C+O2+2H2+O2→CO2+2H2O, minus CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O, leaves C+2H2→CH4).
- So ΔHf=ΔH1+2ΔH2−ΔH3=(−393.5)+2(−286)−(−890) =−393.5−572+890=−75.5 kJ/mol.
Common Mistakes
- Adding instead of subtracting ΔH3 (forgetting the combustion of methane must be reversed to place CH4 as a product, flipping its sign).
- Forgetting the factor of 2 on the hydrogen combustion enthalpy (since 2 mol H2 are needed).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — −75.5 kJ mol−1.
ANSWER: B
- 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)].
- Substitute the given values (ΔfH⊖(CH4)=−x, ΔfH⊖(CO2)=−y, ΔfH⊖(H2O)=−z, and ΔfH⊖(O2)=0): ΔcH⊖=[(−y)+2(−z)]−[(−x)+0]=−y−2z+x.
- Rearranged: ΔcH⊖=x−y−2z=−(y+2z−x).
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the factor of 2 on both H2O and O2 (from the balanced equation).
- Sign errors when substituting −x,−y,−z into the Hess's law expression.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — −(y+2z−x).
ANSWER: A
- 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).
- Scale to per-mole of Al2O3: divide by 2 → Al2O3(s)→2Al(s)+23O2(g), ΔH=+1670 kJ.
- The formation reaction is the reverse: 2Al(s)+23O2(g)→Al2O3(s), ΔHf=−1670 kJ (reversing a reaction flips the sign of ΔH).
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to divide by 2 to get to a per-mole (formation) basis.
- Forgetting to flip the sign since the formation reaction runs opposite to the given decomposition.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — −1670.
ANSWER: D
- 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.
- Hess's law: ΔfH(C2H6)=[atomisation cost]−[bond-formation release]: −85=2735−(347+6x).
- −85=2388−6x⇒6x=2473⇒x=412.2 kJ/mol.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting ethane has 6 C–H bonds (not 4 or 8) — count them from CH3–CH3 (3 on each carbon).
- Sign errors in the Hess's-law cycle (forgetting that bond breaking absorbs energy while bond formation releases it).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 412.2 kJ mol⁻¹.
ANSWER: A
- 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.
- The large negative value is consistent with combustion being strongly exothermic.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to multiply CO2 and H2O enthalpies by their stoichiometric coefficients (3 and 4 respectively).
- Forgetting that O2(g), being an element in its standard state, contributes zero to the formation-enthalpy sum.
- Sign errors when subtracting reactants from products.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — −2215.
ANSWER: B
- 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.
- Solve: ΔfH(CaO)=178−814=−636 kJ/mol — consistent with the accepted real-world value of about −635 kJ/mol for CaO.
Common Mistakes
- Taking the reaction as exothermic (ΔrH=−178) at face value from the raw notation without recognizing the "product-side minus" convention denotes an endothermic process — this would give an answer (+636, i.e. option B) inconsistent with the known chemistry of calcination.
- Sign errors when moving ΔfH(CaCO3) across the equation.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — −636.
ANSWER: A
- 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.
- Indirect path (via liquid then gaseous CCl4): C(gr)+2Cl2(g)→CCl4(l)→CCl4(g)→C(g)+4Cl(g): ΔH=−135.5+ΔvapH+1304.
- Both paths connect the same start and end states, so by Hess's law they're equal: −135.5+ΔvapH+1304=1199.
- Solve: ΔvapH=1199+135.5−1304=30.5 kJ/mol.
Common Mistakes
- Taking the "−1304 kJ" literally as ΔH=−1304 for the atomization step — atomizing (bond-breaking) a molecule is always endothermic, so this must be +1304, following the same product-side-minus convention as other reactions in this style.
- Losing track of the factor of 2 needed for Cl2→4Cl (two moles of Cl2 are needed to supply four Cl atoms).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — +30.5.
ANSWER: D
- 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)].
- Substitute the given symbols (x for ethanol, y for CO2, z for H2O) and ΔfH⊖(O2)=0 (element in standard state).
- ΔrH⊖=(2y+3z)−(x+0)=2y+3z−x.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to check the balanced equation's stoichiometric coefficients (2 for CO2, 3 for H2O) before writing the sum.
- Not setting ΔfH⊖(O2)=0, or adding it into the products side by mistake.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — (2y+3z−x).
ANSWER: D
- 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
- Heat evolved (magnitude): ∣ΔH∣×n=1412×0.25=353 kJ
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the stoichiometric coefficients (2 for CO2 and H2O) when applying Hess's law.
- Using the wrong molar mass for ethylene (must be 28 g/mol, not 26 or 30).
- Reporting the per-mole value (1412 kJ) instead of scaling to the actual 7 g sample.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 353 kJ.
ANSWER: A
- 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.
- ΔrH=−1098−(−320.3)=−1098+320.3=−777.7≈−778 kJ.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to multiply the coefficient 3 into both the CO and CO₂ formation enthalpies.
- Sign error when subtracting a negative reactant sum (double-negative becomes addition).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — -778.
ANSWER: C
- 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).
- −393.5−572=−965.5. So −749=−965.5−ΔHf(CH3OH).
- ΔHf(CH3OH)=−965.5−(−749)=−965.5+749=−216.5kJmol−1.
Common Mistakes
- Sign errors when rearranging the Hess's law equation.
- Forgetting the coefficient 2 on water's enthalpy of formation.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — −216.5.
ANSWER: B
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