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Energy Changes
Notes and Topical MCQs and Structured Questions from CAIE Past Papers
Written and Compiled by S Z Bangash, Saint Mary’s Academy Lalazar Rawalpindi

During chemical reactions energy change is must.

While during physical changes energy change may or may not take place.
In chemical reactions energy is absorbed as well as released.
Due to net difference in both energies absorbed and released, reactions are endothermic or
exothermic.
Basic Terms
1.Endothermic Reactions: Energy is taken in or absorbed.

2.Exothermic Reactions: Energy is taken out or released.

3.Enthalpy (H): the energy content or the net amount of energy of a substance.
4.Enthalpy change (∆H): Enthalpy of a substance cannot be calculated directly during
chemical reactions, so this is the enthalpy change which is used for calculating the enthalpy or
energy content of chemical substances during chemical reactions.
5. Activation Energy (Ea): The minimum amount of energy required to start or initiate a
chemical reaction.
6. System: it consists of reacting particles (atoms, molecules or ions), new particles formed
(products) and the chemical bonds between these particles.
7. Surroundings: It includes: The solvent or solution, the space inside and outside the reacting
mixture, beaker or container, stirrer, thermometer etc.
Energy profile diagrams

As the graph shows:

 The enthalpy change (∆H) for exothermic reactions is negative,

 The energy of the product(s) is smaller than that of the reactants.
 So, reactants are stable.
 *In exothermic reactions more energy released during bonds formation than absorbed for
bonds breaking.
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 *Activation energy is smaller for exothermic reactions.

This graph shows that:

 The enthalpy change (∆H) for endothermic reactions is positive.
 Products possess more energy than reactants, so they are less stable compared to
reactants.
 *More energy is absorbed for bonds breaking than released for bonds making.
 *Activation energy is higher /greater for endothermic reactions.

Temperature change:
(a) During exothermic reactions temperature of the surroundings increases /rises and
(b) During endothermic reactions temperature of the surroundings decreases /falls.

How does temperature change during each reaction in the beakers (a) and (b)? Fill in the blanks for final
temperatures.

Bond breaking and bond making:

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Bond breaking: Is endothermic. Energy is required to the existing bonds between atoms
/ions of the reacting particles. Each type of bond has specific amount of energy required to break.
This is called bond energy. And the same energy is released when that type of bond is formed.

Bond making: This is exothermic process as free atoms, being highly energetic, must lose
energy when forming bonds. The bonded atoms have low energy and are stable. In chemical
reactions the energy released with bonds formation.- released when these bonds form. It is given
in kJ / mole.
Therefore, bond energies are tabulated without any positive or negative signs.
This is only specified for bond breaking or making.
The following tables show bond energies for various bonds in molecules
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Question: How do you know about chemical reactions to be endothermic or exothermic?

Answer: During chemical reactions energy is absorbed for breaking bonds between reactant
molecules. Energy is also released when new bonds in the products are formed. The difference
between the total amount of energy absorbed and released decides whether the reaction is
exothermic or endothermic.
Thus we conclude: (a) A reaction will be endothermic if the total amount of energy absorbed for
bonds breaking is greater than the total amount of energy released during bonds making.
Or
If the energy taken in to break bonds is greater than the energy released in making bonds, the reaction is
endothermic.
(b)A reaction will be exothermic if the total amount of energy released for bonds making is
greater than the total amount of energy absorbed for bonds breaking.
Or
If the energy taken in to break bonds is less than the energy released in making bonds, the reaction is
exothermic.
This does not depend on the total number of bonds broken and formed. Rather it depends on the
nature of bonds. Because some bonds are stronger while some are weaker.

To calculate the enthalpy change or energy change for chemical reactions:

∆H=Bond energies of reactants – Bond energies of products

1. 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)
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H—H O=O H—O—H H—O—H

H—H

Number of bonds broken: 3 (2 H-H bonds and 1 O=O bond)

Number of bonds formed: 4 (O-H bonds)

Using bond energies from the table calculate enthalpy change for the reaction between hydrogen
and oxygen to form water, also state whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic.
Solution:
As there are 2(H-H) bonds broken and 1 (O=O) broken, putting their BE we get the total energy
absorbed.
2(436) + 496=1368 KJ
There are 4(O-H) bonds formed, hence putting (O-H) BE from the table we get the total energy
released:
4(460)=1840 KJ

And ∆H=1368-1840= -472 KJ

The negative sign of ∆H shows that the reaction is exothermic, because more energy is released
for bonds making than energy absorbed for bonds breaking.

Exothermic and endothermic processes

(a) Physical (b) Chemical

Physical processes
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Chemical Processes:

Endothermic reactions:
1. Thermal decompositins of
(i) Carbonates:
When strongly heated in a furnace, carbonates decompose to produce metal oxides and
CO2.

CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

(ii) Nitrates: Decompose to produce: Metal oxides, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gas.

Ca(NO3)2(s) → 2CaO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

(iii) Hydroxides: Decompose into metal oxide and steam.

Ca(OH)2(s) →
CaO(s) + H2O(g)
2.Decomposition due to light:
Silver bromide and silver chloride decompose when exposed to sun light.

2AgCl(s) → Ag(s) + Cl2(g)

2AgBr(s) → Ag(s) + Br2(g)

3.Photosynthesis: Green plants prepare their food by combining carbondixide and water in
presence of sun light which is trapped in green pigment, called chlorophyll in the chloroplast of
the green leaves.

6H2O(l) + 6CO2(g) → C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g)

Reaction of dilute acid with Sodium hydrogencarbonate:

NaHCO3(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

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Exothermic reactions:
Most of the chemical reactions are exothermic:
1. Combustion reaction (fuel)
2. Respiration.
3. Dilute acids’ reactions with (i) metals (ii) metal oxides (iii) hydroxides and (iv) carbonates.
4. Rusting and corrosion of metals
Combustion :
Any substance which on burning gives out heat energy is called a fuel. For example petrol,
diesel, natural gas or CNG, coal, dry wood, cow dung and hydrogen gas. Bio fuel and ethanol
mixed with petrol are also used as fuel nowadays in many countries.
1. Combustion:

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

2.Respiration:

C6H12O6 + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(g)

3. Reactions of dilute acids:

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

MgCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

Neutralization:

MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2H2O(l) → 2Fe2O3. H2O(s)

Energy level diagrams:

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Or

The energy level diagrams for Endothermic reactions

∆H = negative
An energy level diagram for an exothermic reaction. The products have lower energy than the
reactants.
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Work Sheet Energy Changes Questions from Past Papers.

1 Which of the following changes is endothermic?
A H(g) + Cl(g) → HCl(g)
B H2O(g) →2H(g) + O(g)
C H2O(l) →H2O(s)
D 2H2(g) + O2(g) →2H2O(l)
2 In which equation is the sign of energy change, rH, correctly shown?
Equation rH
A 2AgCl(s) → 2Ag(s) + Cl2(g) Positive
B CH4(g) → C(g) + 4H(g) Negative
C H2O(l) → H2O(g) Negative
D CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) positive
3 The energy profile diagram below is for a reaction P + Q → R + S.

Which statement is correct?

A The activation energy of the reaction is (H3 - H1).
B The activation energy of the reaction is (H3 - H2).
C ∆H is (H1 - H2).
D ∆H is (H1 - H3).

4 Which reaction profile shows the fastest exothermic reaction?

5 Dissolving ammonium nitrate in water is

endothermic.
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Which graph shows how the temperature alters as the ammonium nitrate is added to water
and then the solution is left to stand?

6 The reaction C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O is exothermic because

A more bonds are broken than are formed.
B more bonds are formed than are broken.
C the energy needed to break the bonds is greater than that released on forming new
bonds.
D the energy needed to break the bonds is less than that released on forming new
bonds.

7 The formation of hydrogen iodide from hydrogen and iodine is an endothermic reaction.
H–H + I – I → H–I + H – I
What may be deduced from this information?
A The number of bonds broken is greater than the number of bonds formed.
B The formation of H – I bonds absorbs energy.
C The products possess less energy than the reactants.
D The total energy change in bond formation is less than that in bond breaking.
8 Why is the reaction H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl exothermic?
A Energy involved in the bonds breaking is greater than that of the bond forming
B Energy involved in the bonds forming is greater than that of the bond breaking
C More bonds are broken than are formed
D More bonds are formed than are broken

Theory
B1. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide is used to sterilise contact lenses.
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At room temperature aqueous hydrogen peroxide decomposes very slowly to form water
and oxygen.
The decomposition can be represented by the equation below.
2H2O2 → O2 + 2H2O

(a) Explain why this reaction is exothermic in terms of the energy changes that take
place during bond breaking and bond making. [2]
(b) Draw the energy profile diagram for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Label on the diagram the activation energy and the enthalpy change. [3]
B2. Methane, CH4, is used as a fuel. The complete combustion of methane can be represented
by the equation below.

(a) Explain why this reaction is exothermic in terms of the energy changes that take
place during bond breaking and bond making.
[3]
(b) Calculate the energy released when 4.0 g of methane is completely combusted.

[2]
(c) Draw the energy profile diagram for the complete combustion of methane. Label
on the diagram the activation energy and the enthalpy change.
[3]
(d) Draw a ‘dot and cross’ diagram to show the bonding in methane.
You only need to draw the outer (valence) electrons of carbon.
(a) In a car engine, a spark plug ignites a mixture of air and ethanol. The spark is
needed because the combustion of ethanol needs activation energy.
Complete the energy level diagram below for the combustion of ethanol.
Show the names of the products and label the activation energy for the reaction.

[3]
A1. Hydrogen reacts with chlorine to make hydrogen chloride. The reaction is exothermic. The
reaction can be represented by the equation below.
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H –– H + Cl –– Cl → H –– Cl + H –– Cl ∆H = –184 kJ/mol
(a) A mixture of 2.5 g of hydrogen and 142 g of chlorine is allowed to react.
i) Which gas, hydrogen or chlorine, is in excess?
Explain your answer.
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
......……………………………………
ii) Calculate the energy released when 2.5 g of hydrogen reacts completely with
chlorine gas.

[3]
(b) Explain why the reaction is exothermic, in terms of the energy changes that take
place during bond breaking and bond making.

........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
................................................................................
[3]
(c) Draw a ‘dot and cross’ diagram to show the bonding in hydrogen chloride.
You only need to draw the outer (valence) electrons of chlorine.

[2]
(d) Nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen(II) oxide. The energy profile diagram
for the reaction is shown below.
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i) Is the reaction exothermic or endothermic?

Explain your answer.
......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................
………………………………………………………….................................
ii) Label on the diagram the activation energy for the reaction.
A2. In the future, fuel cells may be used to power cars. In a fuel cell, the overall reaction is
represented by the equation

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)

(a) This is the energy profile diagram for the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

Label on the diagram the activation energy of the reaction.

i)
ii) The fuel cell contains a catalyst. Draw a second curve on the diagram to show
the energy profile for the catalysed reaction.
iii) Explain why this reaction is exothermic in terms of bond breaking and bond
forming.
A3. The NASA space shuttle uses fuel cells to generate electricity. The diagram below shows a
hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
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A4.
At the positive electrode, oxygen reacts with water as shown.
O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e– → 4OH–(aq)
At the negative electrode, hydrogen reacts with hydroxide ions as shown.
H2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → 2H2O(l) + 2e–
The overall reaction in the fuel cell is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to make
water.
(a) Give one source for hydrogen and one source for oxygen for use in a fuel cell.
[2]
(b) What is the name of the electrolyte used in the fuel cell?
[1]
(c) What type of reaction takes place, reduction or oxidation, at the positive
electrode? Explain your answer.
[1]
(d) A fuel cell uses 240dm3 of hydrogen. Calculate the volume of oxygen needed, and
the mass of water formed. All gas volumes measured at room temperature and pressure.
[3]
(e) Describe some advantages and disadvantages of using a fuel cell to generate
electricity.
A5. Two isotopes of carbon are carbon-12 and carbon-13. The proportion of these isotopes in
ivory elephant tusks can be used to determine where in the world the tusks come from.
(a) What is the meaning of the term isotope?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
..
[1]
(b) Complete the table about atoms of carbon-12 and carbon-13.
Number of Number of Number of
Isotope Symbol protons per electrons per neutrons per
atom atom atom
Carbon- 12
6C 6 6 6
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12
Carbon-
13
[2]
(c) Elephants eat plants that contain carbon-12 and carbon-13 combined in compounds
such as carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in plants are formed from glucose that is made
by the process of photosynthesis.
Briefly describe, including the word equation, the process of photosynthesis.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………[3]