Enthalpy Change Calculator

Enthalpy Change Equation:

\[ \Delta H = m \times c \times \Delta T \]

Enthalpy Change (ΔH):

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1. What is Enthalpy Change?

Enthalpy change (ΔH) represents the heat energy change in a chemical reaction or physical process at constant pressure. It's a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that helps determine whether a process is exothermic (releases heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the enthalpy change equation:

\[ \Delta H = m \times c \times \Delta T \]

Where:

\( \Delta H \) — Enthalpy change (Joules)
\( m \) — Mass of the substance (grams)
\( c \) — Specific heat capacity (J/g°C)
\( \Delta T \) — Temperature change (°C)

Explanation: The equation calculates the heat energy absorbed or released by a substance based on its mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change.

3. Importance of Enthalpy Change Calculation

Details: Calculating enthalpy change is crucial for understanding energy changes in chemical reactions, designing industrial processes, predicting reaction feasibility, and studying thermodynamic properties of materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in grams, specific heat capacity in J/g°C, and temperature change in °C. All values must be valid (mass > 0, specific heat > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between enthalpy and heat?
A: Enthalpy is a thermodynamic property that includes internal energy plus pressure-volume work, while heat is the energy transfer due to temperature difference.

Q2: What does a negative ΔH value indicate?
A: A negative ΔH indicates an exothermic process where heat is released to the surroundings.

Q3: What does a positive ΔH value indicate?
A: A positive ΔH indicates an endothermic process where heat is absorbed from the surroundings.

Q4: Why is specific heat capacity important?
A: Specific heat capacity determines how much heat energy is required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1°C.

Q5: Can this equation be used for all substances?
A: This equation works well for calculating enthalpy changes in solutions and homogeneous materials where the specific heat capacity is constant over the temperature range.