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) The "heat of vaporization" represents the phase change from a substance's liquid phase to its gaseous phase. (b) The process of vaporization is endothermic as heat energy is absorbed to overcome intermolecular forces. (c) Comparing the numerical values of the heat of vaporization and the heat released during condensation, they are equal as they are reverse processes with the same energy involved but opposite signs.

Step-by-step solution

(a) Heat of Vaporization Definition

Heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to transform a substance from its liquid phase to its gaseous phase. In short, it is the energy required to vaporize a substance.

(b) Endothermic or Exothermic Process

During vaporization, energy is required to overcome the intermolecular forces holding molecules together in the liquid state; thus, heat energy is absorbed. This means the process of vaporization is endothermic.

(c) Comparison between Heat of Vaporization and Heat Released during Condensation

The heat of vaporization is the amount of energy needed for a substance to vaporize, while the heat released during condensation is the energy released when a substance condenses from its gaseous state to its liquid state. Since these processes are reverse of each other, they both have the same numerical value for energy involved, but with opposite signs. In terms of numerical values only, they are equal.

Key concepts

Phase Change

When a substance undergoes a phase change, it transitions from one state of matter to another. The common states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. Each phase change involves a different amount of energy:

• Melting and freezing: Changes between solid and liquid
• Vaporization and condensation: Changes between liquid and gas
• Sublimation and deposition: Changes directly between solid and gas

During the phase change from liquid to gas, known as vaporization, a specific amount of energy is absorbed, termed the "heat of vaporization". This phase change does not alter the temperature of the substance but rearranges the particle arrangement. Understanding these phase changes and energy requirements helps explain why certain phases require more energy to transition between than others.

Endothermic Process

An endothermic process is one that absorbs energy from the surroundings. In the context of vaporization, a liquid absorbs heat energy to transform into a gas. The energy needed to break intermolecular forces during this process comes from the surrounding environment. Hence, the process is endothermic.
Characteristics of endothermic processes include:

• Absorption of heat
• Decrease in temperature of the surroundings
• Positive enthalpy change ($\mathrm{\Delta }H>0$)

This is why, for example, when sweat evaporates from our skin, it takes heat away, making us feel cooler. Understanding endothermic processes provides insight into many everyday phenomena, such as refrigeration and evaporation.

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring particles, such as atoms, molecules, or ions. These forces differ from chemical bonds and are typically weaker. They play a crucial role in determining the properties of substances, such as their boiling points, melting points, and solubility.
There are several types of intermolecular forces:

• Dispersion forces (London forces)
• Dipole-dipole interactions
• Hydrogen bonding

During the vaporization process, these intermolecular forces must be overcome to allow molecules to escape into the gaseous state. The stronger these forces, the more energy is required for a phase change, resulting in a higher heat of vaporization. Grasping the concept of intermolecular forces helps explain the differences in behavior and characteristics among various substances.

Condensation

Condensation is the phase change from gas to liquid. As opposed to vaporization, condensation releases energy, termed the "heat of condensation". During condensation, molecules in the gaseous phase lose energy and slow down, allowing intermolecular forces to bring them back together into a liquid state.
Key aspects of condensation include:

• Release of energy
• Exothermic nature (energy is released to the surroundings)
• Negative enthalpy change ($\mathrm{\Delta }H<0$)

Although the heat of vaporization and the heat of condensation are numerically equivalent, their signs differ. Understanding condensation is essential for grasping the water cycle and weather patterns, as well as the functioning of various cooling technologies like air conditioning systems.