Standard Thermodynamic Quantities for Selected Substances at 25 ∘C Reactant or product ΔHf∘(kJ/mol) Al(s) 0.0 MnO2(s) −520.0 Al2
O3(s) −1675.7 Mn(s) 0.0 Part A The thermite reaction, in which powdered aluminum reacts with manganese oxide, is highly exothermic. 4Al(s)+3MnO2(s)→2Al2O3(s)+3Mn(s) Use standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH∘rxn for the thermite reaction.
Starting with standard enthalpies of formation you can calculate the standard enthalpy for the reaction doing this simple calculation:
∑ n *ΔH formation (products) - ∑ n *ΔH formation (reagents)
This is possible because enthalpy is state function meaning it only deppends on the initial and final state of the system (That's why is also possible to "mix" reactions with Hess Law to determine the enthalpy of a new reaction). Also the enthalpy of formation is the heat required to form the compound from pure elements, then products are just atoms of reagents organized in a different form.
