As with bond enthalpy,?lattice energy?(ΔHlatt?) can be expressed as a formation or dissociation process
As a formation process, it is the enthalpy change when?1 mole?of an?ionic compound?is formed from its?gaseous ions?(under standard conditions)
The ΔHlatt??is therefore?exothermic,?as when ions are?combined?to form an?ionic solid lattice?there is an extremely large release of energy
Since this is an exothermic process, the enthalpy change will have a?negative?value
Because of the huge release in energy when the gaseous ions combine, the value will be a very?large negative?value
The large negative value of ΔHlatt??suggests that the?ionic compound?is much more?stable?than its?gaseous ions
This is due to the?strong electrostatic forces of attraction?between the oppositely charged ions in the solid lattice
Since there are no electrostatic forces of attraction between the ions in the gas phase, the gaseous ions are?less stable?than the ions in the?ionic lattice
The?more exothermic?the value is, the?stronger the ionic bonds?within the lattice are
The ΔHlatt??of an ionic compound?cannot?be determined?directly?by one single experiment
Multiple experimental values and an?energy cycle?are used to find the ΔHlatt??of ionic compounds
The lattice energy (ΔHlatt?) of an ionic compound can be written as an equation
For example, sodium chloride is an ionic compound formed from sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions
Since the lattice energy is the enthalpy change when 1 mole of sodium chloride is formed from gaseous sodium and chloride ions, the equation for this process is:
Write down the equations which represent the lattice energy of:
(i) Magnesium oxide
(ii) Lithium chloride
Answer
Answer 1:
Mg2+?(g) + O2-?(g) → MgO (s)
Answer 2:
Li+?(g) + Cl-?(g) → LiCl (s)
Enthalpy change of atomisation
The?standard?enthalpy change of atomisation?(ΔHat?) is the?enthalpy change?when?1 mole?of gaseous atoms?is formed from its?element?under standard conditions
The ΔHat??is always?endothermic?as energy is always required to?break?any bonds between the atoms in the element, to break the element into its gaseous atoms
Since this is always an endothermic process, the enthalpy change will always have a?positive?value
Equations can be written to show the standard enthalpy change of atomisation (ΔHat?) for elements
For example, sodium in its elemental form is a?solid
The standard enthalpy change of atomisation for sodium is the energy required to form 1 mole of?gaseous?sodium atoms:
Na (s) → Na (g)? ? ? ? ? ?ΔHat??= +108 kJ mol?-1
Worked Example
Writing equations for the standard enthalpy change of atomisation
Write down the equations for the standard enthalpy change of atomisation (ΔHat?) for:
(i) Potassium
(ii) Mercury
Answer
Answer 1:
Potassium in its elemental form is a?solid, therefore the standard enthalpy change of atomisation is the energy required to form 1 mole of K (g) from K (s)
K (s) → K (g)
Answer 2:
Mercury in its elemental form is a?liquid, so the standard enthalpy change of atomisation of mercury is the energy required to form 1 mole of Hg (g) from Hg (l)
Hg (l) → Hg (g)
Electron Affinity
The?electron affinity?(ΔHea) of an element is the energy change when?one mole?of electrons is gained by?one mole?of gaseous atoms of an element to form?one mole?of gaseous ions under standard conditions
For example, the first electron affinity of chlorine is:
This is because a large force of?repulsion?must be overcome between the negatively charged ion and the second electron requiring a large input of energy