The main difference between a thermochemical equation and a chemical equation lies in the inclusion of the enthalpy change of the reaction in the thermochemical equation. Here is a comparison of the two types of equations:
Chemical Equation:
- Shows the starting compound, reactants, and final products separated by an arrow.
- Does not usually indicate the enthalpy change of the reaction.
Thermochemical Equation:
- A balanced stoichiometric chemical reaction that includes the enthalpy change.
- Indicates the enthalpy change of the reaction, denoted by ΔH.
In summary, a thermochemical equation is a chemical equation that additionally includes the enthalpy change of the reaction, providing information about the heat energy involved in the process. A chemical equation, on the other hand, only shows the reactants and products without specifying the enthalpy change.
Comparative Table: Thermochemical Equation vs Chemical Equation
Here is a table comparing thermochemical equations and chemical equations:
Feature | Thermochemical Equation | Chemical Equation |
---|---|---|
Definition | A balanced stoichiometric chemical reaction that includes the enthalpy change. | An equation showing the starting compound, reactants, and final products separated by an arrow. |
Enthalpy Change | Indicates the enthalpy change of reactions, denoted by ΔH. | Does not explicitly show the enthalpy change. |
Format | A + B → C; ΔH = (±) #, where A and B are reactants, C is the final product, and (±) # is the positive or negative numerical values for enthalpy change. | Reactants → Products, where the starting compound and reactants are on the left side, and the final products are on the right side, separated by an arrow. |
Application | Used to calculate the heat absorbed or released during a chemical reaction. | Used to represent the reactants and products of a chemical reaction. |
The key difference between thermochemical equations and chemical equations is that thermochemical equations always indicate the enthalpy change of reactions, while chemical equations do not explicitly show the enthalpy change.
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