1. Thermo-Chemistry Curve Balls
KNOW thine enemy!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Equations q = m C ΔT q = m Hx q = ΔHo ΔHo = products – reactants
ΔHo = broken – formed (not on equation sheet)
ΔSo = products – reactants
ΔGo = products – reactants
ΔGo = ΔHo - T ΔSo
ΔGo =-RTlnK

3. CH3OH + O2  CO2 + H2O (l) 1. What is the enthalpy of combustion, ΔHoc, for the complete combustion of methanol to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?

4. CH3OH + XO2  CO2 + YH2O (l) ΔHco = products – reactants
1. What is the enthalpy of combustion, ΔHoc, for the complete combustion of methanol to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Mistake made: unbalance equation. Any test any year (basic chemistry mistake)
ΔHco = products – reactants
ΔHco = [ ] – [-210.0]
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol

6. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) ΔHco = products – reactants
1. What is the enthalpy of combustion, ΔHoc, for the complete combustion of methanol to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Mistake made: water gas instead of liquid Any test any year (basic chemistry mistake)
ΔHco = products – reactants
ΔHco = [ ] – [-210.0] unbalanced
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol
ΔHco = [ (-241.5)] – [-210.0] balanced
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol

7. 21/03. Calculate the amount of energy mol-1)
released when mol of
diborane, B2H6, reacts with
oxygen to produce solid B2O3
and steam.
∆Hf° kJ
B2H6(g) 35
B2O3(s)
H2O(l) -285
H2O(g) -241
*(A) 2030 kJ (B) 2160 kJ (C) 3300kJ (D) 3430 kJ
B2H6 + 3O2  B2O3 + 3H2O (g)
∆H = [ (-241)] – 35

8. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) ΔHco = reactants - products
1. What is the enthalpy of combustion, ΔHoc, for the complete combustion of methanol to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Mistake made: reactants – products Any test any year (basic chemistry mistake)
ΔHco = reactants - products
ΔHco = [-210.0] – [ ] unbalanced
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol
ΔHco = [-210.0] – [ (-285.8)] balanced
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol

9. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) Correct answer:
1. What is the enthalpy of combustion, ΔHoc, for the complete combustion of methanol to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Correct answer:
ΔHco = products – reactants
ΔHco = [ (-285.8)] – [-210.0]
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol

10. Correct way
This type of enthalpy problem (just a products – reactants ) is more often found on the multiple choice test and usually involves a little easier number to add and subtract.
In a multiple choice problem a student should round – DO NOT get bogged down in mathematics!
rounds to -400
rounds to -300
rounds to -200
ΔHco = [ (-300)] – [-200]
ΔHco =
ΔHco = around the correct answer is
The answer should be less than ( more positive) -800 because the rounding up of the product’s enthalpies

11. OR the equation could have the heat included
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) kJ

12. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) +755.1 = [-393.5 + 2(-285.8)] – [ΔHof]
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) kJ
Mistake made: ignore the sign of the enthalpy Question #3b 1998
= [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof]
= x
ΔHof = kJ/mole

14. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) kJ
Mistake made: incorrect substitution ( no true understanding between formation and combustion) and sign problem. Question #3b 1998
“ΔHof “ = [ (-285.8)] – [755.1] confused between combustion and formation
ΔHof = kJ/mole

15. 2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l)
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l) kJ
Mistake made: over balancing the equation leading to a stoich mistake. Any test any year
= [2(-393.5) + 4(-285.8)] – [2x] doubled everything BUT the molar enthalpy of combustion
ΔHof =

16. 2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l)
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l) kJ
Mistake made: over balancing the equation leading to a stoich mistake. Any test any year
2(-755.1) = [2(-393.5) + 4(-285.8)] – [x] doubled everything BUT the molar enthalpy of formation
ΔHof = -420

17. 2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l) “ΔHof “ = -420 kJ/mole
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
2CH3OH + 3O2  2CO2 + 4H2O (l) kJ
Mistake made: incorrect substitution
“ΔHof “ = [2(-393.5) + 4(-285.8)] – [2(-755.1)] confused between combustion and formation
“ΔHof “ = -420 kJ/mole

18. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) Correct answer:
2. What is the heat of formation, ΔHof , of methanol if one mole of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
OR the equation could have the heat included
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) kJ
Correct answer:
= [ (-285.8)] – [x]
ΔHof = kJ/mole

19. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
3. What is the heat of combustion , ΔHoc , of methanol if grams of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?

20. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
3. What is the heat of combustion , ΔHoc , of methanol if grams of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
A common student mistake is to underestimate the test writer and believe the answer is as easy as picking it out of the question .
(-584.1kJ)

21. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
3. What is the heat of combustion , ΔHoc , of methanol if grams of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
Mistake made: incorrect molar substitution Question #3a 1998, 1979
ΔHoc = [ (-285.8)] – [-584.1]
ΔHoc = kJ/mol

22. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
3. What is the heat of combustion , ΔHoc , of methanol if grams of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
Mistake made: incorrect molar substitution
= [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof]
ΔHof = -381kJ/mol
OR use the wrong enthalpy with the wrong sign:
584.1 = [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof]
ΔHof = kJ/mol

23. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
3. What is the heat of combustion , ΔHoc , of methanol if grams of methanol reacts with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water, and kJ of heat?
Correct way 24.75g = 32 g kJ x kJ x = [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof] = [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof] ΔHof = kJ/mole

24. Chemistry Olympiad Question
25/00. What is the standard enthalpy of formation of MgO(s) if kJ is evolved when g of MgO(s) is formed by the combustion of magnesium under standard conditions?
*(A) –601.8 kJ·mol–1 (B) –300.9 kJ·mol–1 (C) kJ·mol–1 (D) kJ·mol–1
20.15/300.9 = 40/X kJ

25. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to
58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of combustion of methanol?

26. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
4. If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to 58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: q/grams ≠ ΔH/mole Question #3a 1998, #d 1995, 1979,1989b, 2001a
q = 1500g x 4.18 J/ g x oC (58.7 oC – 25 oC)
q = joules of heat/ 8.95 grams of methanol combusted
( but the question wanted the molar enthalpy)

27. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
4. If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to 58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: increase in temperature = + ΔHoc
+q = 1500g x 4.18 J/ g x oC (58.7 oC – 25 oC)
+q = joules of heat/ 8.95 grams of methanol combusted
8.95 grams of methanol = 32 grams /mole
joules x
755482J / mole  kJ/mole

28. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
4. If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to 58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of combustion of methanol?
Correct answer :
q = 1500g x 4.18 J/ g x oC (58.7 oC – 25 oC)
q = joules of heat/ 8.95 grams of methanol combusted
8.95 grams of methanol = 32 grams /mole
joules x
J / mole  kJ/mole

29. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
5. If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to 58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of formation of methanol?

30. Mistake made: ΔHof ≠ ΔHoc
Wrong answer:
q = 1500g x 4.18 J/ g x oC (58.7 oC – 25 oC)
q = joules of heat/ 8.95 grams of methanol combusted
8.95 grams of Methanol = grams /mole Methanol
joules x
J / mole  -755 kJ/mole  the student found the heat of combustion correctly but then uses it incorrectly as the heat of formation:
ΔHoc = [ (-285.8)] – [ -755]  incorrect substitution
ΔHoc =  correct answer found the wrong way
This error IF caught should send a red flag to the teacher that this student does not know the difference between enthalpy of reaction and enthalpy of formation.

31. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
5. If 8.95 grams of methanol was used to heat 1500 mL of water from 25oC to 58.7 oC What is the molar enthalpy of formation of methanol?
Correct answer:
q = 1500g x 4.18 J/ g x oC (58.7 oC – 25 oC)
q = joules of heat/ 8.95 grams of methanol combusted
8.95 grams of methanol = grams /mole
joules x
-755 = [ (-285.8)] – [ΔHof]  correct substitution
ΔHof = kJ/mole

32. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (g)
6. Calculate the enthalpy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and gaseous water?

33. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (g)
6. Calculate the enthalpy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and gaseous water?
Mistake made: ΔHof(water gas) ≠ ΔHof (water liquid)
ΔHco = [ ( )] – [-210.0]
ΔHco = kJ/mole of methanol

34. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (g) OR CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) -755
6. Calculate the enthalpy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and gaseous water?
ΔHoc = [ (-241.5)] – [ ] = kJ OR
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) -755
2H2O(l)  2H2O(g) (-88.5)
ΔHoc = kJ
ΔHov= 2[-285.8] - 2[-241.5]
ΔHov = -88.5

35. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
7. Using the table bond enthalpies calculate the molar enthalpy for the combustion of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water.
C-H 413
O=O 495
C-O 358
O-H 463
C=O 799

36. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) ΔHoc = +647.5
7. Using the table bond enthalpies calculate the molar enthalpy for the combustion of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water.
C-H O=O 495
C-O O-H 463
C=O 799
Mistake made  formed - broken
C=O H-O C-H C-O O-H O=O
ΔHoc = [ 2(799) + 4(463) ]- [ 3(413) (495)]
ΔHoc =

38. CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l) CH3OH + 1.5O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
7. Using the table bond enthalpies calculate the molar enthalpy for the combustion of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water.
C-H O=O 495
C-O O-H 633
C=O 799
Mistake made: bonds ≠ coefficients
CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
ΔHoc = [ (413) + ( 463) + 1.5(495)] – [ (799) – 2(463)]
ΔHoc =

39. Correct Way Correct answer: Must have structural formula H |
H—C –O-H O=O  O=C=O H-O-H
| H-O-H
C-H C-O O-H O=O C=O H-O
ΔHoc = [ 3(413) (495)] - [ 2(799) + 4(463) ]
ΔHoc = kJ/mole
Bond enthalpies give different enthalpy of combustion because they don’t take into account intermolecular forces. (good essay question!)

40. Chemistry Olympiad Question
23/02. Estimate ∆H for this reaction.
H2(g) + Cl2(g)  2HCl(g)
Bond Energies, kJ·mol–1
H–H
Cl–Cl
H–Cl
(A) 1110 kJ (B) 248 kJ
*(C) –183 kJ (D) –248 kJ
ΔH = broken - formed
ΔH = [H-H + Cl-Cl] – [ 2(H-Cl)]
ΔH = [ ] – [ 2(431)]

41. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
8. The complete combustion of 10.5 g of methanol will produce carbon dioxide, liquid water and kJ of heat. Calculate the bond enthalpy of a oxygen hydrogen single bond

42. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
8. The complete combustion of 10.5 g of methanol to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water and kJ of heat. Calculate the bond enthalpy of a oxygen hydrogen single bond.
Mistake made: sign mistake or incorrect substitution or both!
C-H C-O O-H O=O C=O O-H
= [ 3(413) x (495)] - [ 2(799) + 4(x) ]
ΔHobond = kJ/mole
217.7 = [ 3(413) x (495)] - [ 2(799) + 4(x) ]
ΔHobond = kJ/mole

43. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
8. The complete combustion of 10.5 g of methanol to produce carbon dioxide, liquid water and kJ of heat. Calculate the bond enthalpy of a oxygen hydrogen single bond.
10.5 g = 32 g/mol
-217.7kJ = xkJ X=
C-H C-O O-H O=O C=O O-H
= [ 3(413) x (495)] - [ 2(799) + 4(x) ]
= [ x ] – [ x]
= x
ΔHobond = kJ/mole

44. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
9. Calculate the entropy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?

45. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
9. Calculate the entropy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Mistake made: UNITS
ΔSo = [214+2(70)] – [ (205)]
ΔSo = J/mole
Some will even try kJ
Correct math – just a foot shot on units!

46. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
9. Calculate the entropy of reaction for the combustion of one mole of methanol with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and liquid water?
Correct Way
ΔSo = [214+2(70)] – [ (205)]
ΔSo = J/K x mole
Must have Kelvin

47. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
10. What is the value of the standard free energy for the combustion of methanol.

48. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
10. What is the value of the standard free energy for the combustion of methanol.
Mistake made: enthalpy - entropy units
ΔGoc = ΔHoc – TΔSoc
ΔGoc =-755.1kJ – 298(-191.5J)
ΔGoc = ???? Units
ΔHoc from enthalpies of formation not bond energies ( either is OK) =-755.1kJ

49. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
10. What is the value of the standard free energy for the combustion of methanol.
Mistake made: Kelvin units
ΔGoc = ΔHoc – TΔSoc
ΔGoc = – 25oC ( )
ΔGoc =-750.3

50. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
10. What is the value of the standard free energy for the combustion of methanol.
Correct Way
ΔGoc = ΔHoc – TΔSoc
ΔGoc = – 298( )
ΔGoc = -698 kJ

51. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
11. What is the value of the free energy for the formation of methanol.

52. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
11. What is the value of the free energy for the formation of methanol.
Mistake made: absolute entropy does not equal entropy of formation
ΔGof = ΔHof – TΔSof
ΔGof =-201 – 298(0.238)
238J/k x mol from data of absolute entropies
ΔGof = kJ

53. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
11. What is the value of the free energy for the formation of methanol.
ΔGof = ΔHof – TΔSof
C O2 + 2H2  CH3OH
ΔSof = 240 – [ (205) + 2(131)]
ΔSof = J/K
-201 ΔHof(methanol) from data table
ΔGof =-201 – 298( )
ΔGof = kJ

54. R = 8.31 - WHAT Force = mass x acceleration
Force = 10,000kg x 9.8 m/s2
Force = 1.0 x 105 kgxm/s2
Pressure = force / area
Pressure = 1.0 x 105 kgxm/s2/m2
Units of pressure = kg /s2m
Work = pressure x ΔVol
Work (Joules) = kg /s2m x m3
Joules = kg xm2 /s2

55. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?

56. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: units of R
ΔGo = -RTlnK
ΔGo =-698kJ
-698kJ = J x 298 lnK
K= 1.33

57. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: wrong R
ΔGo = -RTlnK
ΔGo =-698kJ
J = “J” x 298 lnK
K= error (time killer)

58. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: 2nd ln
ΔGo = -RTlnK
ΔGo =-698kJ
J = J x 298 lnK
K=  has not taken the antilog

59. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?
Mistake made: wrong LOG
ΔGo = -RTlnK
ΔGo =-698kJ
J = J x 298 log K
K= error ???? ( time killer)

60. CH3OH O2  CO2 + 2H2O (l)
12. What is the equilibrium constant for the combustion of methanol?
Correct Way
ΔGo = -RTlnK
ΔGo =-698kJ
J = J x 298 lnK
lnK= 281.9
K= error -- too big ?? x or more
Combustion reactions are not the norm for ΔGo = -RTlnK equation  weak acid /base, Ksp, Kp are better suited……

61. Essay -ΔH +ΔS always spontaneous -ΔG
-ΔH -ΔS decrease temperature more spontaneous -ΔG
+ΔH +ΔS increase temperature more spontaneous - ΔG
+ΔH -ΔS never spontaneous +ΔG
NEVER say “decrease or increase” when referring to a more negative or more positive change

62. Chemical Olympiad Question
28/00. What are the signs of ∆ H˚ and ∆ S˚ for a reaction that is spontaneous at all temperatures?
ΔH˚ ΔS˚
(A) spont at + (higher temp)
(B) – never spont
*(C) – always spont
(D) – – spont at – (lower temp)

63. Chemical Olympiad Question
26/01. The ∆Ho and ∆So values for a particular reaction are –60.0 kJ and kJ·K–1 respectively. Under what conditions is this reaction spontaneous?
(A) all conditions *(B) T < 300 K
(C) T = 300 K (D) T > 300 K
– – spont at – (lower temp)

64. Chemical Olympiad Question
27/02. For the reaction PCl3(g) + Cl2(g)  PCl5(g), ∆Ho = –86 kJ.
Under what temperatures is this reaction expected to be spontaneous?
(A) no temperatures (B) high temperatures only
(C) all temperatures *(D) low temperatures only
- ∆ H and - ∆ S = more spont at –(low) temp

65. Chemical Olympiad Question
24/02. Which reaction occurs with an increase in entropy?
*(A) 2C(s) + O2(g)  2CO(g) solid to a gas
(B) 2H2S(g) + SO2(g)  3S(s) + 2H2O(g)
(C) 4Fe(s) + 3O2(g)  2Fe2O3(s)
(D) CO(g) + 2H2(g)  CH3OH(l)

66. Thank You For Listening
I Hope this helps
Now let’s try our curve ball skills on a modified 1984 AP thermo question