Energy Changes and Reaction Rates

Flashcards covering key concepts related to energy changes and reaction rates in chemistry.

Thermochemistry

The study of the energy changes that accompany physical or chemical transformations.

Law of Conservation of Energy

States that energy can neither be destroyed nor created; the total energy of the universe is constant.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Thermal Energy

A form of kinetic energy related to the temperature of a substance.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction in which energy is given off, usually increasing the temperature of the surroundings.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction in which energy is absorbed, usually decreasing the temperature of the surroundings.

Heat (q)

The amount of energy transferred between substances.

Specific Heat Capacity (c)

The heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1°C.

Calorimetry

An experimental technique used to measure energy changes in chemical systems.

System

The part of the universe being studied, such as the contents of a flask.

Surroundings

Everything else in the universe outside of the system.

Chemical Energy

A type of potential energy stored within chemical bonds.

ΔH (Change in Enthalpy)

The change in heat content of a system during a process.

Heat Transfer

The movement of heat from one substance to another.

Energy Transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another, such as from solar energy to chemical energy.