Potassium Chlorate(VII) decomposes to produce Potassium Chloride and Oxygen. Using the following data calculate the enthalpy change of this decomposition: Enthalpy of formation(KClO4) = -430 kJ mol-1, Enthalpy of formation(KCl) = -440 kJ mol-1

Firstly the equation of this decomposition should be worked out to be the following
KClO4(s) --> KCl(s) + 2O2(g)
The enthalpy of formation has been given for both KClO4 and KCl, so from this we know that Hess's Law should be used. This states that regardless of the multiple stages or steps of a reaction, the total enthalpy change for the reaction is the sum of all changes, so allows the following enthalpy triangle to be formed.
KClO4(s) --> KCl(s) + 2O2(g) ^- K(s) + Cl2(g) + 2O2(g) -^This then allows the enthalpy of reaction to be calculated, noting that O2 doesn't change between the formation and products so it's enthalpy of formation isn't needed.
Enthalpy of reaction = Enthalpy of formation(KCl) - Enthalpy of formation (KClO4) = -440 kJ mol-1 + 430 kJ mol-1= -10 kJ mol-1

Answered by Chemistry tutor

16744 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you form phenylamine from benzene? Include reagents and conditions and the name of the reactions


Sort the following compounds in order of increasing boiling point and explain your reasoning: hydrogen, hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen bromide


Draw the shape of an SF6 and SF4 molecule, indicating bond angles and any lone pairs which may influence these. What shape is the SF6 molecule?


"Sulfur Dioxide can be represented as a sulfur atom with double bonds to each of two oxygen atoms, explain the shape of this molecule and predict the bond angle".


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning