Hess's Law: Understanding Its Importance and Applications

[astro_kat]

ok, I have no idea. If anyone could put this in simple terms it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Gokul43201]

No matter where you go, there you are!

Hess' Law is just a recognition that enthalpy is a state function: http://chem.ufl.edu/~itl/2045/lectures/lec_7.html

 

[Kushal]

basically it says that, the enthalpy change of a reaction depends only on the initial and final conditions of the reactants and products respectively. the reaction route or reaction pathway has no effect on the enthalpy change.

a quick example is when you produce CO2 from Carbon and oxygen. there are two possible routes:

1) burn C directly in oxygen.

2) burn Carbon to carbon monoxide, and then burn that carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide

but both have the same enthalpy according to Hess' law