6. Chemical Thermodynamics
Chemical thermodynamics studies energy changes during physical and chemical processes, helping to determine reaction feasibility and energy absorption or release. Key concepts include internal energy, the first law of thermodynamics, enthalpy, and the classification of reactions as exothermic or endothermic. The implications of thermodynamics in chemistry are profound, influencing energy efficiency in various processes and industries.
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What we have learnt
- Thermodynamics focuses on energy changes, particularly involving heat.
- Systems can be classified as open, closed, or isolated based on matter and energy exchange.
- Understanding internal energy and enthalpy is crucial for predicting reaction behavior and efficiency.
Key Concepts
- -- Thermodynamics
- The study of energy changes, especially heat, during physical and chemical processes.
- -- Internal Energy (U)
- The total energy contained within a system, associated with the motion and position of particles.
- -- First Law of Thermodynamics
- States that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Mathematically represented as ΔU = Q - W.
- -- Enthalpy (H)
- The heat content of a system at constant pressure, indicating if a reaction absorbs or releases heat.
- -- Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
- Exothermic reactions release heat (ΔH < 0), while endothermic reactions absorb heat (ΔH > 0).
- -- Spontaneous and NonSpontaneous Reactions
- Spontaneous reactions occur without external energy, while non-spontaneous reactions require continuous energy input.
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