Physical Chemistry: Reactivity Flashcards
What is thermodynamics?
The study of the way different types of energy interconvert.
What is the system?
The part of the world being studied.
What are the surroundings?
The rest of the world outside of the system.
What can be measured about a system?
The energy change of a system.
The energy of a system cannot be measured.
What is an open system?
A system where both matter and energy can be exchanged with the surroundings.
For example, a reaction taking place in a beaker.
What is a closed system?
A system that contains a fixed amount of matter but energy can be exchanged.
For example, a sealed reaction vessel.
What is an isolated system?
A system where there can be no exchange of energy or matter with the surroundings.
For example, a sealed, insulated vacuum flask.
What is energy?
The capacity to do work.
How is work done?
When moving against a force.
What is the equation for work done?
w = Fs
w = Work Done (J)
F = Force (N)
s = Distance (m)
What is the internal energy?
The total capacity for a system to do work.
It is denoted by the symbol, U.
What is the intermolecular potential energy in an ideal gas?
Zero.
This is because there are no forces between the molecules.
What does the internal energy of an ideal gas depend on?
Temperature, as the internal energy is purely kinetic.
What is the internal energy of an ideal gas independent of?
The volume.
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form into another.
If work is done by a system, what happens to its internal energy?
It decreases.
If work is done on a system, what happens to its internal energy?
It increases.
What is heat?
Energy that flows from high-temperature objects to low-temperature objects.
What is thermal equilibrium?
Where there is no heat flow between two objects as they are the same temperature.
This is sometimes called the 0th law of thermodynamics.
What is the molar heat capacity equation?
q = nCΔT
q = amount of heat supplied (J)
n = amount of substance (mol)
C = molar heat capacity (J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹)
ΔT = change in temperature (K)
How can the molar heat capacity be measured in gases?
It can be measured in two ways: at a constant pressure (Cₚ) or constant volume (Cᵥ).
What is the heat capacity of a substance related to?
The number of degrees of freedom possessed by its molecules.
What are the two types of work?
Expansion work.
Non expansion work.
What is expansion work?
Involves a change in the volume of the system.
For example, the work done by a reaction with gaseous products.