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Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy
Chapter 9, Problem 38a

The reaction of A with B to give D proceeds in two steps: (1) A + B → C ΔH° = -20 kJ (2) C + B → D ΔH° = +50 kJ (3) A + 2B → D ΔH° = ? (a) Which Hess's law diagram represents the reaction steps and the overall reaction? Diagram 1 Diagram 2

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Hess's Law

Hess's Law states that the total enthalpy change for a chemical reaction is the sum of the enthalpy changes for the individual steps of the reaction, regardless of the pathway taken. This principle allows chemists to calculate the overall enthalpy change for a reaction by adding the enthalpy changes of each step, making it essential for analyzing multi-step reactions.
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Enthalpy Change (ΔH)

Enthalpy change (ΔH) is a measure of the heat content of a system at constant pressure. A negative ΔH indicates an exothermic reaction, where heat is released, while a positive ΔH indicates an endothermic reaction, where heat is absorbed. Understanding these changes is crucial for predicting the energy dynamics of chemical reactions.
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Reaction Mechanism

A reaction mechanism describes the step-by-step sequence of elementary reactions by which overall chemical change occurs. Each step has its own rate and enthalpy change, and understanding the mechanism helps in visualizing how reactants are converted to products, which is vital for applying Hess's Law to find the overall reaction enthalpy.
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Reaction Mechanism Overview