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A Visual Aid in Enthalpy Calculations
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Abstract
This article discusses the use of enthalpy-temperature diagrams for reactants and products as a visual aid in the teaching of reaction-enthalpy calculations. By the use of such diagrams the division of the process into a part involving a chemical reaction without a temperature change and a part involving only a temperature change is made visually concrete. The diagrams afford a ready explanation of why enthalpies of reactions can change in sign and magnitude as the temperature changes. This change is easily seen to be related to the differences in molar heat capacities of reactants and products. The connection between the sign of the enthalpy of reaction and the sign of ΔT is also very readily apparent from the diagrams. The approach outlined here should prove especially useful for students whose primary learning style is visual.
Keywords (Audience):
First-Year Undergraduate / GeneralKeywords (Domain):
Physical ChemistryKeywords (Subject):
ThermodynamicsCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).
Thermodynamics for Visual Learners
Todd M. HamiltonJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (12), 1425Thermodynamics for Visual Learners
Todd M. HamiltonJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (12), 1425One of the difficulties in learning physical chemistry is mastering the many abstract concepts. Some students are visual learners and for them a picture is truly worth a thousand words. I have developed several examples for visual learners in the area of ...
Energy as Money, Chemical Bonding as Business, and Negative ΔH and ΔG as Investment
Evguenii I. KozliakJournal of Chemical Education2002 79 (12), 1435Energy as Money, Chemical Bonding as Business, and Negative ΔH and ΔG as Investment
Evguenii I. KozliakJournal of Chemical Education2002 79 (12), 1435A simple analogy is suggested illustrating the thermodynamic sign convention and the significance of the negative sign of ΔH and ΔG on spontaneity for general or introductory chemistry students. Enthalpy or energy is associated with money, and atoms or ...
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History
- Received: August 03, 2009
ACS
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