Thermochemistry

Abstract Thermochemistry explores the basic principles of energy changes in chemical reactions. Calorimetry is described as a tool to measure the quantity of heat involved in a chemical or physical change. Quantitative overviews of enthalpy and the stoichiometry of thermochemical equations are provided, including the concepts of endothermic and exothermic reactions. Standard conditions are defined to allow comparison of enthalpies of reactions and determine how the enthalpy change for any reaction can be obtained. Hess"s Law, which allows the enthalpy change of any reaction to be calculated, is discussed with illustrative examples. A presentation of bond energies and bond dissociation enthalpies is offered along with the use of bond enthalpy to estimate heats of reactions.