Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Sonim194c on August 23, 2019, 01:56:48 PM

Title: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Sonim194c on August 23, 2019, 01:56:48 PM
My book introduces Thermochemistry with the concept of heat and how a calorimeter works. After that, it explains the story behind Hess Law and says that one of the reasons it was created is because a calorimeter can't calculate fast chemical reactions, but it doesn't really say the problem with it. Why can't we calculate fast chemical reactions? Won't the water in the calorimeter heat up or cool down after some time?
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Vidya on August 24, 2019, 07:28:40 AM
There are many reactions which can not be carried out in water like combustion or single replacement reactions and many more reactions of different types.Hess's law helps in calculating  enthalpy change for any reaction.
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Sonim194c on August 24, 2019, 09:55:31 AM
But what is the reason for fasst reactions?
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Vidya on August 24, 2019, 11:01:51 AM
In fast reactions may heat lost to the surrounding is more which results in error.
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Sonim194c on August 24, 2019, 11:35:53 AM
I thought the heat loss happened to every reaction. Why the lost is more with fast reactions?
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Vidya on August 24, 2019, 11:47:14 AM
Due to more heat released in less time which results in more dissipation in surroundings.
Title: Re: The Story Behind Hess Law
Post by: Sonim194c on August 24, 2019, 11:57:10 AM
Ohh, many thanks!! So we would need time for all water be at the same temperature, but some heat is lost for the surroundings at the process.