Unit 13: Thermodynamics
Reading
BJU Chemistry: Read Ch. 13 "Chemical Thermodynamics"
AP Classroom: Unit 6 "Thermodynamics" (continued)
Topics
Labs
BJU Chemistry: Read Ch. 13 "Chemical Thermodynamics"
AP Classroom: Unit 6 "Thermodynamics" (continued)
Topics
- Heat transfer and calorimetry
- Energy of phase changes
- Heat (enthalpy) of reaction, and how to use Hess's Law
- Entropy and Gibbs free energy as a predictor of reaction tendency
Labs
- Black Powder lab
- Thermite lab (2024 not sure about this one, we'll see...)

12._thermodynamics_pt._1_lecture_notes.docx |
Lab video below: Black powder is a mixture of charcoal (C), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and sulfur (S). The charcoal does the 'burning', the nitrate supplies the oxygen, and the sulfur binds it together to make it burn quickly.
Black Powder lab
We will make a small quantity of black powder. The homework builds off of this lab.
This lab and its writeup demonstrates virtually everything we are learning about reactions and thermodynamics:
We will make a small quantity of black powder. The homework builds off of this lab.
This lab and its writeup demonstrates virtually everything we are learning about reactions and thermodynamics:
- Balancing chemical reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Thermodynamics
- Limiting reactants
- Moles
- Enthalpy of reaction

black_powder_lab student handout.docx |
Homework
See Canvas
See Canvas

thermodynamics_homework__fuel_cell_black_powder_thermite_calculations_.docx |
Optional: Thermodynamics Combination Problem
The problem is now posted in Canvas in quiz-format. The accompanying video is below.