Calculating Energy Changes in Reactions

You need to be able to calculate the energy changes in a reaction using bond
energy data. Using the guidance in the worked example, you need to complete
the practice exercises showing ALL YOUR WORKING.

Worked Example

Burning ethane (C2H6)

Step 1: draw the balanced equation showing the structure of the molecules

+ 7 O=O 6 H-O-H + 4 O=C=O

2

Step 2: Show all the bonds you would have to break to get the individual atoms

Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

C-C C-C O=O
C-H C-H O=O
C-H C-H O=O
C-H C-H O=O
C-H C-H O=O
C-H C-H O=O
C-H C-H O=O
Step 3: Show all the bonds you need to form to make the products

Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

C-C C-C O=O H-O H-O
C-H C-H O=O H-O H-O
C-H C-H O=O H-O C=O
C-H C-H O=O H-O C=O
C-H C-H O=O H-O C=O
C-H C-H O=O H-O C=O
C-H C-H O=O H-O C=O
H-O C=O
H-O C=O
H-O C=O
Step 4: Use data from a data table to write in the bond energies for each bond

Data Bonds Broken Bonds Formed table:

C-C 347 C-C 34 O=O 498 H-O 464 H-O 464
Bond Bond
C-H 413 C-H 7 O=O 498 H-O 464 H-O 464
Energy
C-H 413 C-H 413 O=O 498 H-O 464 C=O 732
(kJ/mol)
C-H 413 C-H 413 O=O 498 H-O 464 C=O 732
O=O 498
C-H 413 C-H 413 498 H-O 464 C=O 732
C-C 347
C-H 413 C-H 413 498 H-O 464 C=O 732
C-H 413
C-H 413 C-H 413 498 H-O 464 C=O 732
O-H 464 413 H-O 464 C=O 732
C-H 413 H-O 464 C=O 732
C=O 732 H-O 464 C=O 732
C-O 336bonds broken
Total 9136 Total Bonds 11424
Formed

Step 5: Calculate the total Energy using the equation:

Total Energy = Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

(If this answer is negative, this means energy is given out and the reaction
is exothermic)

Total Energy = 9136 - 11424 = -2288kJ/mol

 Bond Energy Calculations Exercise
(Use the data table given in the worked example you may need to look
back in your exercise book for the structures of some compounds)

1. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of

methane

Methane + Oxygen Water + Carbon Dioxide

Balanced equation (show structure):

Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

Total energy =

2. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of ethanol

Ethanol + Oxygen Water + Carbon Dioxide

Balanced equation (show structure):

Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

Total energy =
 3. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of
propane

Propane + Oxygen Water + Carbon Dioxide

Balanced equation (show structure):

Bonds Broken Bonds Formed

Total energy =

Extension (complete in your exercise book)

1. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of

propanol
2. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of
Pentane
3. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of
hexanol
4. Calculate the total energy change for the complete combustion of
hexane