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Van't Hoff Equation

`Delta H^o = -R(ln(K_2/K_1))/(1/(T_2)-1/T_1)`
`(K_2)"Equilibrium Constant 2"`
`(K_1)"Equilibrium Constant 1"`
`(T_1)"Temperature 1"`
`(T_2)"Temperature 2 "`

The Van't Hoff equation, ln(K2/K1) = ΔH0/R (1/T1 - 1/T2), provides information about the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant. T

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

  • (K1) Equilibrium constant at absolute temperature T1.
  • (K2) Equilibrium constant at absolute temperature T2.
  • (T1) Absolute temperature one.
  • (T2 ) Absolute temperature two.

ΔH0: The calculator returns the reaction enthalpy (the standard heat of the reaction).  This calculator uses the Ideal Gas Constant (R):8.3144626181532 J/(mol·K).

All temperatures are automatically converted to Kelvin.

The Math/Science

The Van't Hoff equation was proposed in 1884 by Jacobus Henricus van't Hoff. Van't Hoff made great contributions to physical chemistry, specifically in chemical kinetics, stereochemistry, and chemical equilibrium.
The formula in this equation is as follows:

          `ΔH^0 = R * ( -ln(K_2/K_1))/ (1/T_1 - 1/T_2)` 

It is a form of : ln(K2/K1) = ΔH0/R (1/T1 - 1/T2) solved for  ΔH0.

 

If equilibrium constants are known for two different temperatures, then ΔH0 can be found for a substance. Likewise, if an equilibrium constant (K1) for T1 and ΔH0 are known, then the equilibrium constant (K2) can be calculated for a second temperature. The Van't Hoff equation does, however, assume that ΔH0 does not change with temperature. This is not necessarily true; ΔH0 does change with temperature, but the change is small enough that it is considered negligible when estimating K2

When the equilibrium constant and temperature are plotted against each other, both an exothermic and endothermic reaction will have a characteristic shape to its graph. Exothermic graphs tend to be linear with a positive slope, while endothermic reactions are linear with a negative slope, as shown below.

/attachments/04bf9a04-1eec-11e6-9770-bc764e2038f2/Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 10.15.45 PM.png

/attachments/04bf9a04-1eec-11e6-9770-bc764e2038f2/Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 10.15.55 PM.png

 


Chemistry Calculators

 

 

References

Whitten, et al. "Chemistry" 10th Edition. Pp. 699

Wikipedia: Van't Hoff Equation