IB Chemistry Topic 4 & 14 Definitions

This page contains our IB Chemistry definitions for topic 4 & 14. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Chemistry 'What Drives Chemical Reactions'.
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anode

The electrode where electrons exit the external wire and oxidation occurs 

average bond enthalpy

The energy needed to break one mole of a bond in a gaseous molecule and averaged and averaged over similar compounds

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Born-Haber cycle

An energy cycle that shows the formation of ionic compounds in gas or aqueous states

calorimeter

A device that can measure an exothermic reaction's enthalpy change

cathode

The electrode where electrons enter the external wire and reduction occurs 

electrolyte

A conductive solution

endothermic reaction

A reaction that absorbs heat because the reactants have stronger bonds than the products

energy

The ability to move a unit force a unit distance, measured in joules. ie the amount of work done

Energy Density

The amount of energy produced per unit mass or volume of fuel, with methanol having a higher energy density than hydrogen in fuel cells

enthalpy

The internal energy stored in molecules

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enthalpy of hydration

The enthalpy change when one mole of a gaseous ionic substance is dissolved in water to form an infinitely dilute solution

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enthalpy of solution

The enthalpy change when one mole of a solute is dissolved in excess solvent to form an infinitely dilute solution

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entropy

The measure of distribution of available energy among particles, measured in JK-1mol-1

exothermic reaction

A reaction that releases heat because the products have stronger bonds than the reactants

heat

It is the total kinetic energy of all particles in an object

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lattice enthalpy

The enthalpy change when one mole of ionic compound is broken apart into its constituent gaseous ions

specific heat capacity

The measure of how much energy a unit mass of a substance takes to be raised by 1K/1°C

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spontaneity

The ease with which a reaction occurs

standard enthalpy change of combustion

Enthalpy change to completely combust one mole of a compound at STP

standard enthalpy change of formation

Enthalpy change to form one mole of a compound from its elemental constituents at STP

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standard enthalpy of atomization

The enthalpy change when one mole of gaseous atoms is formed from its element at STP

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standard entropy

The entropy change experienced when heating a substance from 0K to 298K (STP)

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standard free energy change of a reaction

The change in free energy during a reaction, dependent on enthalpy, entropy, and temperature change

temperature

It is the average kinetic energy of an object's particles

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