The Energetics of Transformation
An exploration into the energy required to transition matter from a liquid to a gaseous state โ the Enthalpy of Vaporization.
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Definition
The Core Concept
In thermodynamics, the enthalpy of vaporization (symbol \u2206Hvap), also known as the latent heat of vaporization or heat of evaporation, quantifies the energy required to convert a specific amount of a liquid substance into a gas at a given pressure and temperature. This transformation, known as vaporization or evaporation, involves overcoming the intermolecular forces present in the liquid phase.
Dependence on Conditions
The enthalpy of vaporization is not a fixed value; it is intrinsically dependent on the specific pressure and temperature at which the phase change occurs. While often quoted at the substance's normal boiling point, tabulated values are frequently adjusted to standard conditions like 298 K (25 ยฐC). The value diminishes as temperature increases, ultimately reaching zero at the substance's critical temperature, beyond which the liquid and gas phases become indistinguishable.
Intermolecular Forces
A significant portion of the enthalpy of vaporization is attributed to the energy needed to overcome the attractive forces between molecules in the liquid state. Substances with strong intermolecular forces, such as water with its extensive hydrogen bonding, exhibit high enthalpies of vaporization. Conversely, substances with weak forces, like helium, have very low values.
Units of Measurement
Standard Units
The enthalpy of vaporization is commonly expressed in units that reflect energy per amount of substance. The most frequent units are:
- Joules per mole (J/mol)
- Kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol): This is the standard molar enthalpy of vaporization.
Alternative Units
Depending on the context and field of study, other units may be encountered:
- Joules per gram (J/g) or Kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg): These represent the specific heat of vaporization.
- Older or specialized units like kilocalories per mole (kcal/mol), calories per gram (cal/g), and British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) are sometimes still used.
Thermodynamic Principles
Energy Balance
The enthalpy of vaporization (\u2206Hvap) can be understood through the first law of thermodynamics. It equals the change in internal energy (\u2206Uvap) plus the work done by the system against the surrounding pressure (p) as the volume expands (\u2206V). Mathematically:
ฮH_vap = ฮU_vap + p * ฮV
This equation highlights that vaporization requires energy not only to increase the internal energy (breaking molecular bonds/interactions) but also to perform mechanical work by expanding against external pressure.
Entropy and Equilibrium
At the boiling point (Tb), the liquid and gas phases are in equilibrium (\u2206vG = 0). This relationship connects enthalpy and entropy changes:
ฮ_vS = S_gas - S_liquid = ฮ_vH / T_b
This indicates that the increase in entropy during vaporization is directly proportional to the heat absorbed and inversely proportional to the boiling temperature. Since entropy generally increases with temperature, the gas phase is favored at higher temperatures.
Electrolyte Solutions
Estimating the enthalpy of vaporization for electrolyte solutions requires specialized thermodynamic models. Advanced approaches like the Pitzer model or the TCPC model are employed to accurately calculate these values, considering the complex interactions between ions and solvent molecules.
Enthalpies of Vaporization: Elements
The table below presents the molar enthalpies of vaporization (in kJ/mol) for various chemical elements, measured at their respective normal boiling points. Note the significant variations reflecting differences in metallic bonding strength and atomic interactions.
| Enthalpies of vaporization of the elements (kJ/mol) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | ||
| Group โ | |||||||||||||||||||
| โ Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | H 0.90 |
He 0.08 |
|||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Li 136 |
Be 292 |
B 508 |
C 715 |
N 5.57 |
O 6.82 |
F 6.62 |
Ne 1.71 |
|||||||||||
| 3 | Na 97.4 |
Mg 128 |
Al 284 |
Si 359 |
P 12.4 |
S 45 |
Cl 20.4 |
Ar 6.53 |
|||||||||||
| 4 | K 76.9 |
Ca 155 |
Sc 333 |
Ti 425 |
V 444 |
Cr 339 |
Mn 221 |
Fe 340 |
Co 377 |
Ni 379 |
Cu 300 |
Zn 115 |
Ga 256 |
Ge 334 |
As 32.4 |
Se 95.5 |
Br 30.0 |
Kr 9.08 |
|
| 5 | Rb 75.8 |
Sr 141 |
Y 390 |
Zr 573 |
Nb 690 |
Mo 617 |
Tc 585 |
Ru 619 |
Rh 494 |
Pd 358 |
Ag 254 |
Cd 99.9 |
In 232 |
Sn 296 |
Sb 193 |
Te 114 |
I 41.6 |
Xe 12.6 |
|
| 6 | Cs 63.9 |
Ba 140 |
* | Lu 414 |
Hf 648 |
Ta 733 |
W 807 |
Re 704 |
Os 678 |
Ir 564 |
Pt 510 |
Au 342 |
Hg 59.1 |
Tl 165 |
Pb 179 |
Bi 179 |
Po 103 |
At 54.4 |
Rn 18.1 |
| 7 | Fr 65 |
Ra 113 |
** | Lr n/a |
Rf n/a |
Db n/a |
Sg n/a |
Bh n/a |
Hs n/a |
Mt n/a |
Ds n/a |
Rg n/a |
Cn n/a |
Nh n/a |
Fl n/a |
Mc n/a |
Lv n/a |
Ts n/a |
Og n/a |
| * | La 400 |
Ce 398 |
Pr 331 |
Nd 289 |
Pm 289 |
Sm 172 |
Eu 176 |
Gd 301 |
Tb 391 |
Dy 280 |
Ho 251 |
Er 280 |
Tm 191 |
Yb 129 |
|||||
| ** | Ac 400 |
Th 514 |
Pa 481 |
U 417 |
Np 336 |
Pu 333 |
Am n/a |
Cm n/a |
Bk n/a |
Cf n/a |
Es n/a |
Fm n/a |
Md n/a |
No n/a |
|||||
| Enthalpy in kJ/mol, measured at their respective normal boiling points. Dashed/dotted borders indicate estimated or radioactive elements. | |||||||||||||||||||
Enthalpies of Vaporization: Common Substances
A comparative look at the enthalpy of vaporization for several common compounds, illustrating the wide range of energy requirements for phase transition.
| Compound | Boiling point, at normal pressure | Heat of vaporization | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (K) | (ยฐC) | (ยฐF) | (kJ/mol) | (J/g) | |
| Acetone | 329 | 56 | 133 | 31.300 | 538.9 |
| Aluminium | 2792 | 2519 | 4566 | 294.0 | 10500 |
| Ammonia | 240 | โ33.34 | โ28 | 23.35 | 1371 |
| Butane | 272โ274 | โ1 | 30โ34 | 21.0 | 320 |
| Diethyl ether | 307.8 | 34.6 | 94.3 | 26.17 | 353.1 |
| Ethanol | 352 | 78.37 | 173 | 38.6 | 841 |
| Hydrogen (parahydrogen) | 20.271 | โ252.879 | โ423.182 | 0.8992 | 446.1 |
| Iron | 3134 | 2862 | 5182 | 340 | 6090 |
| Isopropyl alcohol | 356 | 82.6 | 181 | 44 | 732.2 |
| Methane | 112 | โ161 | โ259 | 8.170 | 480.6 |
| Methanol | 338 | 64.7 | 148 | 35.2 | 1104 |
| Propane | 231 | โ42 | โ44 | 15.7 | 356 |
| Phosphine | 185 | โ87.7 | โ126 | 14.6 | 429.4 |
| Water | 373.15 | 100 | 212 | 40.66 | 2257 |
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