Unit 2: Thermodynamics

Topics:

• what is energy?
• types/forms of energy
• conversions between types and forms of energy
• thermometers and temperature
• units of heat energy (J and cal)
• the ability of a substance to absorb, retain, and lose heat energy: specific heat capacity, heat capacity, molar heat capacity
• calorimetry: using water to find specific heats, energy contents, and energy changes of other substances and reactions
• bomb calorimeter and coffee cup calorimeter
• using enthalpies of reactions and thermochemical equations to predict heat changes for chemical reactions
• the First Law of Thermodynamics
• the difference between changes in internal energy (DE) and changes in enthalpy (DH)
• the meaning of a state function
• determining enthalpies of reaction by creating reaction pathways through manipulation of subsidiary reactions
• heats of formation
• using heats of formation and Hess’ Law to determine an enthalpy of reaction
• using bond energies to determine an enthalpy of reaction
• the meaning of a spontaneous change
• the driving forces of spontaneity in nature
• entropy and its measurement of disorder (DS)
• Gibb’s free energy (G) and the prediction of spontaneity and energy available for work
• predicting spontaneity both qualitatively and quantitatively
• free energy and energy resources
• free energy and biological systems