Thermochemistry rests on two generalizations. Stated in modern terms, they are as follows:1
These statements preceded the first law of thermodynamics (1845) and helped in its formulation.
Thermochemistry also involves the measurement of the latent heat of phase transitions. Joseph Black had already introduced the concept of latent heat in 1761, based on the observation that heating ice at its melting point did not raise the temperature but instead caused some ice to melt.4
Gustav Kirchhoff showed in 1858 that the variation of the heat of reaction is given by the difference in heat capacity between products and reactants: dΔH / dT = ΔCp. Integration of this equation permits the evaluation of the heat of reaction at one temperature from measurements at another temperature.56
The measurement of heat changes is performed using calorimetry, usually an enclosed chamber within which the change to be examined occurs. The temperature of the chamber is monitored either using a thermometer or thermocouple, and the temperature plotted against time to give a graph from which fundamental quantities can be calculated. Modern calorimeters are frequently supplied with automatic devices to provide a quick read-out of information, one example being the differential scanning calorimeter.
Several thermodynamic definitions are very useful in thermochemistry. A system is the specific portion of the universe that is being studied. Everything outside the system is considered the surroundings or environment. A system may be:
A system undergoes a process when one or more of its properties changes. A process relates to the change of state. An isothermal (same-temperature) process occurs when temperature of the system remains constant. An isobaric (same-pressure) process occurs when the pressure of the system remains constant. A process is adiabatic when no heat exchange occurs.
Perrot, Pierre (1998). A to Z of Thermodynamics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-856552-6. 0-19-856552-6 ↩
See page 290 of Outlines of Theoretical Chemistry by Frederick Hutton Getman (1918) https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_En83AAAAMAAJ_2/page/n308 ↩
Petrucci, Ralph H.; Harwood, William S.; Herring, F. Geoffrey (2002). General Chemistry (8th ed.). Prentice Hall. pp. 241–3. ISBN 0-13-014329-4. 0-13-014329-4 ↩
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Black, Joseph" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. /wiki/Hugh_Chisholm ↩
Laidler K.J. and Meiser J.H., "Physical Chemistry" (Benjamin/Cummings 1982), p.62 /wiki/Keith_J._Laidler ↩
Atkins P. and de Paula J., "Atkins' Physical Chemistry" (8th edn, W.H. Freeman 2006), p.56 /wiki/Peter_Atkins ↩