Entalpiamuutuse

Entalpiamuutuse is the Finnish term for enthalpy change. It is a thermodynamic quantity representing the total heat content of a system. In chemical reactions, enthalpy change, denoted by the symbol ΔH, quantifies the amount of heat absorbed or released during the process at constant pressure. If ΔH is negative, the reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat into the surroundings. If ΔH is positive, the reaction is endothermic, absorbing heat from the surroundings. This concept is crucial for understanding the energy flow in chemical and physical transformations. For instance, the combustion of fuels is an exothermic process with a significant negative enthalpy change, while melting ice is an endothermic process requiring heat input to overcome intermolecular forces. The units for enthalpy change are typically joules per mole (J/mol) or kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol). Measuring or calculating enthalpy changes allows scientists to predict the feasibility and energy efficiency of various processes. It is a fundamental concept in chemistry, physics, and engineering.