Question

(a) What phase change is represented by the "heat of vaporization" of a substance? (b) Is the process of vaporization endothermic or exothermic? (c) If you compare a substance's heat of vaporization to the amount of heat released during condensation, which one is generally larger (consider the numerical value only)?

Short answer

(a) Vaporization from liquid to gas. (b) Endothermic. (c) Equal in value, opposite in sign.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding 'Heat of Vaporization'

The 'heat of vaporization' refers to the amount of energy required to transition a substance from a liquid to a gas at its boiling point. This process involves breaking intermolecular forces as the substance changes phases.

Process Type Identification

In the vaporization process, energy is absorbed from the surroundings to allow molecules in the liquid to escape into the gas phase, making it an endothermic process. An endothermic process is characterized by the absorption of heat.

Comparing Vaporization and Condensation

The heat of vaporization and the heat released during condensation have equal numerical values but opposite signs. During vaporization, energy is absorbed (+Q), while during condensation, the same amount of energy is released (-Q).

Numerical Value Comparison

Since the heat of vaporization and the heat of condensation are numerically the same (but opposite in sign), neither is larger when considering absolute measures. Thus, they are equal in numerical magnitude.

Key concepts

Phase Change

A phase change refers to the transition of a substance from one state of matter to another. In the context of the heat of vaporization, it involves the change from a liquid to a gas. This transition occurs at a specific temperature known as the boiling point. During this change, the molecules gain enough energy to overcome their intermolecular forces, which keep them in a liquid state.
As the liquid absorbs heat, its molecules begin to move more rapidly and eventually break free to become gaseous. This phase change is crucial for processes like boiling, where the liquid turns into vapor.

Endothermic Process

An endothermic process is characterized by the absorption of heat from the surroundings. Vaporization is a prime example of an endothermic process. This is because when a substance vaporizes, it requires energy to be absorbed in order to overcome the forces holding the molecules in the liquid state.
During vaporization, the energy absorbed is used to break intermolecular forces, allowing the molecules to separate and become gas. This absorption of energy is why the temperature of the surroundings might feel cooler during an endothermic reaction, as heat is taken in and used by the system.

Vaporization and Condensation

Vaporization and condensation are two sides of the same coin—the transformation between liquid and gas. In vaporization, energy is absorbed to change a liquid into a gas, which is an endothermic process. Conversely, condensation is the process of gas turning back into a liquid, releasing energy, which is an exothermic process.
The intriguing part is that the amount of energy involved in both processes is the same in magnitude. The heat of vaporization (+Q) signifies energy absorbed, while the heat of condensation (-Q) represents energy released, both sharing equal numerical value but opposite signs.

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the attractions that hold molecules together in a liquid or solid form. These forces determine many properties of substances, including their boiling and melting points.
In the context of vaporization, to transition from a liquid to a gas, the heat energy provided must be sufficient to overcome these intermolecular attractions. That's why substances with stronger intermolecular forces typically have higher heats of vaporization—they require more energy to break the bonds holding their molecules together.

• These forces include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces.
• Understanding intermolecular forces helps explain why different substances require different amounts of energy to change phases.