Question

Draw an enthalpy diagram for a general exothermic reaction; label the axis, reactants, products, and \(\Delta H\) with its sign.

Short answer

1. Draw axes labeled 'Enthalpy (H)' and 'Reaction Progress'. 2. Mark reactants higher on the enthalpy scale. 3. Mark products lower. 4. Connect with a curved line. 5. Label \( \Delta H\) with a negative sign.

Step-by-step solution

Draw the Axes

Draw a vertical axis (y-axis) and a horizontal axis (x-axis). Label the vertical axis as 'Enthalpy (H)' and the horizontal axis as 'Reaction Progress'.

Mark and Label Reactants

At the left end of the horizontal axis, draw a horizontal line higher up on the enthalpy scale to represent the reactants. Label this line as 'Reactants'.

Mark and Label Products

On the right side of the horizontal axis, draw another horizontal line lower on the enthalpy scale to represent the products. Label this line as 'Products'.

Draw the Reaction Pathway

Connect the reactants line to the products line with a curved line. This denotes the energy transition from reactants to products during the reaction.

Indicate \Delta H

Draw a vertical arrow from the reactants line to the products line. Label this arrow as '\( \Delta H \)' and add a negative sign because the reaction is exothermic, indicating that energy is released.

Key concepts

enthalpy

Enthalpy, denoted as H, is a measure of the total energy of a thermodynamic system. It includes internal energy and the energy required to make space for the system by displacing its environment. Enthalpy is an essential concept when studying chemical reactions.
In an enthalpy diagram, the y-axis represents enthalpy. The position of the reactants and products on this axis helps us understand if energy is absorbed or released during the reaction.
Enthalpy changes (\( \triangle H \)) show the difference in energy between reactants and products. A negative \( \triangle H \) indicates that the reaction releases energy, while a positive \( \triangle H \) indicates energy absorption.

reaction progress

Reaction progress refers to the sequence of stages from reactants to products. This is represented on the horizontal axis (x-axis) of an enthalpy diagram. It helps to visualize the pathway a reaction takes.
When examining a reaction, understanding the reaction progress allows us to follow the journey from starting materials (reactants) to the end products. The pathway often includes intermediate states where energy transitions occur.
By plotting the reaction progress, chemists can illustrate changes in energy levels and better explain concepts like activation energy and transition states, which aren't always at the initial and final points.

exothermic reaction

An exothermic reaction releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light, to its surroundings. This release of energy results in a negative \( \triangle H \).
On an enthalpy diagram, the products of an exothermic reaction are at a lower energy level than the reactants. The gap between these levels shows the amount of energy released.
Common examples of exothermic reactions include combustion reactions, such as burning wood, and many oxidation reactions, like rusting. In practical terms, exothermic reactions can often be felt as the release of heat, making them easier to identify.

energy transition

Energy transition in a chemical reaction involves moving from the energy state of the reactants to the energy state of the products. This is often visualized as a curved pathway on an enthalpy diagram.
During this transition, the system may go through various intermediates and transition states that are higher in energy than both reactants and products. Understanding these transitions is crucial for determining a reaction's mechanism.
Energy transition shows how energy barriers can be overcome, which is essential for comprehending reaction rates and the role of catalysts. By illustrating energy transition, enthalpy diagrams provide a clearer picture of the energy landscape of a reaction, helping to predict both feasibility and speed.