IB Chemistry HL 1.2 Energy Cycles Questions

Practise IB Chemistry HL energy cycles by calculating reaction enthalpy from bond energies and Hess pathways, then applying standard data and Born–Haber cycles.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Calculate reaction ΔH as Σ bond energies broken − Σ bond energies formed, using equation coefficients.
  • Explain why mean bond enthalpies give estimates rather than compound-specific reaction values.
  • Calculate percentage uncertainty in ΔH from the stated uncertainties in bond enthalpy values.
  • Reverse or scale Hess-cycle steps, track signs and state symbols, and combine them to find target ΔH.
  • Write formation and combustion equations for one mole, using standard states and complete combustion.
  • Calculate ΔH° from formation data: ΣΔHf°(products) − ΣΔHf°(reactants), with coefficients.
  • Calculate ΔH° from combustion data: ΣΔHc°(reactants) − ΣΔHc°(products), with coefficients.
  • Label Born–Haber steps and calculate lattice enthalpy from signed terms, including electron affinity.
  • Compare lattice enthalpies by ionic charge and radius, explaining stronger attraction for smaller ions.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 6]

Organic compounds have many industrial applications.

Question (a)

(a)

Ethene reacts with steam to produce ethanol.

C2H4( g)+H2O( g)→C2H5OH( g)\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}(\mathrm{~g})
[ 6 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Calculate the enthalpy, in kJ , of the reaction using section 12 of the data booklet.

[ 3 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Calculate the enthalpy of the reaction, in kJ . Use section 13 of the data booklet and ΔHf⊖\Delta H_{f}^{\ominus} of CH3CH2OH(g)=−235 kJ mol−1\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH}(\mathrm{g})=-235 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}.

[ 2 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Outline why the enthalpies calculated in (i) and (ii) are different.

[ 1 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 5]

Solid ionic compounds form crystal lattices.

Question (a)

(a)

Enthalpy of solution, enthalpy of hydration and lattice enthalpy are related in an energy cycle.

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Annotate the energy cycle for the enthalpy of solution of solid magnesium chloride, MgCl2\mathrm{MgCl}_{2} (s), by naming the processes A, B and C and completing the boxes. Include state symbols.

Figure for Question (i) — IB Chemistry HL

A:
B:
C:

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Calculate the enthalpy of solution for magnesium chloride, MgCl2\mathrm{MgCl}_{2}. Use sections 18 and 20 of the data booklet.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain why the lattice enthalpy of barium chloride, BaCl2\mathrm{BaCl}_{2}, is lower than that of magnesium chloride.

[ 2 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 2]

Phosphoryl chloride, POCl3\mathrm{POCl}_{3}, is a dehydrating agent.

Question (a)

(a)

POCl3( g)\quad \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) decomposes according to the following equation.

2POCl3( g)→2PCl3( g)+O2( g)2 \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})
[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Define the term standard enthalpy change of formation, ΔHf⊖\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}{ }^{\ominus}.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Calculate the standard enthalpy change for the reaction, ΔH⊖\Delta H^{\ominus}, in kJmol−1\mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}, using the data below.

Table for Question (ii) — IB Chemistry HL
[ 1 ]

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

Phosphoryl chloride, POCl3\mathrm{POCl}_{3}, is a dehydrating agent.

POCl3( g)\quad \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) decomposes according to the following equation.

2POCl3( g)→2PCl3( g)+O2( g)2 \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})

Define the term standard enthalpy change of formation, ΔHf⊖\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}{ }^{\ominus}.

Question 5

[Maximum number: 1]

Phosphoryl chloride, POCl3\mathrm{POCl}_{3}, is a dehydrating agent.

POCl3( g)\quad \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) decomposes according to the following equation.

2POCl3( g)→2PCl3( g)+O2( g)2 \mathrm{POCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})

Calculate the standard enthalpy change for the reaction, ΔH⊖\Delta H^{\ominus}, in kJmol−1\mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}, using the data below.

Table for Question 5 — IB Chemistry HL

Question 6

[Maximum number: 6]

Magnesium, a reactive metal found in many common minerals, is also an essential nutrient for both plants and animals.

Question (a)

(a)

Although magnesium is usually found as Mg2+\mathrm{Mg}^{2+} in its compounds, it is possible to use the Born-Haber cycle to investigate the possibility of Mg+\mathrm{Mg}^{+}being able to form stable compounds.

Use the ionization energy data from part (b), along with the other data provided below, to determine the enthalpy change of formation of MgCl(s). Assume that, because Mg+\mathrm{Mg}^{+} would be similar in size to Na+,MgCl\mathrm{Na}^{+}, \mathrm{MgCl} would have a similar lattice enthalpy to NaCl .

 Enthalpy of atomization of Mg +146 kJ mol−1 Bond enthalpy in Cl2+243 kJ mol−1 Electron affinity of Cl−349 kJ mol−1 Lattice enthalpy of NaCl+790 kJ mol−1\begin{array}{ll} \text { Enthalpy of atomization of Mg } & +146 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \\ \text { Bond enthalpy in } \mathrm{Cl}_{2} & +243 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \\ \text { Electron affinity of } \mathrm{Cl} & -349 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \\ \text { Lattice enthalpy of } \mathrm{NaCl} & +790 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \end{array}
[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Consider the lattice enthalpies of MgF2,MgCl2\mathrm{MgF}_{2}, \mathrm{MgCl}_{2} and CaCl2\mathrm{CaCl}_{2}. List these from the most endothermic to the least endothermic and explain your order.
Most endothermic
Least endothermic

[ 3 ]
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