Given that H2(g) + F2(g) - > 2HF(g) delta H rxn = -546.6 kJ 2H2(g)+ O2(g) - > 2H2O(l) delta H rxn = 571.6 kJ calculate the value of delta H rxn for 2F2(g)+2HO(l) - > 4Hf(g)+O2(g)

According to Hess’s law of constant heat summation, the heat absorbed or evolved in a given chemical equation is the same whether the process occurs in one step or several steps.

According to this law, the chemical equation can be treated as ordinary algebraic expression and can be added or subtracted to yield the required equation. That means the enthalpy change of the overall reaction is the sum of the enthalpy changes of the intermediate reactions.

The main reaction is,

[tex]2F_2(g)+2H_2O(l)\rightarrow 4HF(g)+O_2(g)[/tex] [tex]\Delta H=?[/tex]

The intermediate balanced chemical reaction will be,

(1) [tex]H_2(g)+F_2(g)\rightarrow 2HF(g)[/tex] [tex]\Delta H_1=-546.6kJ[/tex]

(2) [tex]2H_2(g)+O_2(g)\rightarrow 2H_2O(l)[/tex] [tex]\Delta H_2=571.6kJ[/tex]

Now we are reversing reaction 2 and multiplying reaction 1 by 2 then adding both the equations, we get :

(1) [tex]2H_2(g)+2F_2(g)\rightarrow 4HF(g)[/tex] [tex]\Delta H_1=2\times (-546.6kJ)=-1093.2kJ[/tex]

(2) [tex]2H_2O(l)\rightarrow 2H_2(g)+O_2(g)[/tex] [tex]\Delta H_2=-571.6kJ[/tex]

The expression for enthalpy of the given reaction will be:

[tex]\Delta H=\Delta H_1+\Delta H_2[/tex]

[tex]\Delta H=(-1093.2)+(-571.6)[/tex]

[tex]\Delta H=-1664.8kJ[/tex]

Therefore, the value of [tex]\Delta H_{rxn}[/tex] for the reaction is, -1664.8 kJ