Enthalpy Change Equation:
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Enthalpy change (ΔH) represents the heat energy transferred in a system at constant pressure. It's a fundamental concept in thermodynamics used to quantify energy changes in chemical reactions and physical processes.
The calculator uses the enthalpy change equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a given mass of substance by a specific amount.
Details: Enthalpy change calculations are crucial for understanding energy requirements in heating/cooling processes, designing thermal systems, and analyzing chemical reaction energetics.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, specific heat capacity in J/kg·K, and temperature change in Kelvin. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between enthalpy and heat?
A: Enthalpy is a thermodynamic property that includes internal energy plus pressure-volume work, while heat is energy transfer due to temperature difference.
Q2: Why use Kelvin instead of Celsius for temperature change?
A: Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale where the size of one degree is the same as Celsius, but it avoids negative values and ensures proper thermodynamic calculations.
Q3: Can this calculator be used for phase changes?
A: No, this equation is for temperature changes without phase transitions. For phase changes, you need to use latent heat formulas.
Q4: What are typical specific heat capacity values?
A: Water: 4184 J/kg·K, Aluminum: 897 J/kg·K, Iron: 449 J/kg·K. Values vary significantly between materials.
Q5: How does pressure affect enthalpy change?
A: This equation assumes constant pressure conditions. For ideal gases, enthalpy depends only on temperature, but for real substances, pressure effects may need consideration.