What is Hydration Enthalpy or Hydration Energy?
Hydration energy, also known as hydration enthalpy, can be defined as the amount of energy released when one mole of ions undergo hydration, which is a special case of solvation. It is a special case of dissolution of energy with the solvent being water.
For example, when we dissolve salt in water, the outermost ions (those at the edge of the lattice) move away from the lattice and become covered with the neighbouring water molecules. If the hydration energy is equal to or if the hydration energy is greater than the lattice energy, the salt is known to be water-soluble. In salts for which the hydration energy is known to be higher than the lattice energy, solvation occurs with a release of energy in the form of heat. For example,CaCl2 (anhydrous calcium chloride) heats the water when dissolving. However, for instance, the hexahydrate, CaCl2·6H2O cools the water upon dissolution. The reason why the latter happens is that the hydration energy does not completely overcome the lattice energy and the remainder has to be taken from the water to compensate for the energy loss.
What is the hydration energy?
The amount of energy released when a mole of an ion dissolves in a large amount of water, forming an infinitely dilute solution in the process, Mz+(g) + mH2O ® Mz+(aq), where Mz+(aq) represents ions surrounded by water molecules and dispersed in the solution, is called the enthalpy of hydration, Hhyd. Here are the approximate hydration energies of some common ions. The table shows that as the atomic number grows, the ionic size decreases, resulting in a fall in absolute enthalpy of hydration values.
Enthalpy Change of Solution
The enthalpy change of solution can be defined as the enthalpy change when 1 mole of an ionic substance dissolves in water to give a solution of infinite dilution. Enthalpies of the solution can be either negative or positive. In other words, we can say that some ionic substances dissolve endothermically (for example, NaCl); others dissolve exothermically (for example NaOH).
An infinitely dilute solution can be defined as one where there is a sufficiently large excess of water that adding any more does not cause any further heat to be absorbed or evolved. So, when 1 mole of sodium chloride crystals is dissolved in an excess of water, the enthalpy change of solution is found to be +3.9 kJ mol-1. The change is slightly endothermic. So it can be said that the temperature of the solution will be slightly lower than that of the original water.
Factors Affecting the Size of Hydration Enthalpy
Hydration enthalpy: Hydration enthalpy can be defined as the measure of the energy released when attractions are set up between positive or negative ions and water molecules.
With positive ions, there may only lose ion-dipole attractions between the δ- oxygen atoms in the water molecules and the positive ions, or there may be formal dative covalent (coordinate covalent) bonds.
With negative ions, ion-dipole attractions are formed between the negative ions and the δ+ hydrogens in water molecules.
The size of the hydration enthalpy is usually governed by the amount of attraction between the ions and the water molecules.
The attractions are generally stronger for the smaller ions. For example, the hydration enthalpies fall as and when we go down a group in the Periodic Table. In the periodic table, the small lithium-ion has the highest hydration enthalpy in Group1 and the small fluoride ion has the highest hydration enthalpy in Group 7. In both groups, hydration enthalpy falls as the ions get bigger.
The more highly charged the ion is, the attraction will be stronger. For instance, the hydration enthalpies of Group 2 ions (like Mg2+) are much higher than those of Group 1 ions (like Na+)
Solution enthalpy change
The enthalpy change of solution is the enthalpy change that occurs when one mole of an ionic compound dissolves in water to produce an infinitely diluted solution. Enthalpies in solution can be positive or negative, meaning that some ionic substances dissolve endothermically (such as NaCl) while others dissolve exothermically (for example NaOH)
An infinitely dilute solution has a large enough excess of water that adding more does not cause any further heat to be absorbed or released. The enthalpy change of solution is found to be +3.9 kJ mol-1 when 1 mole of sodium chloride crystals are dissolved in an excess of water. Because the reaction is slightly endothermic, the temperature of the solution will be lower than that of the original water.
Which Element has the Highest Hydration Energy? Why does Lithium have High Hydration Enthalpy?
Lithium-ion
The lithium-ion has by far the highest hydration enthalpy in Group 1 and the small fluoride ion has by far the highest hydration enthalpy in Group 7.
Lithium exerts the greatest polarizing effect out of all the alkali metals on the negative ion. Being smallest in alkali metals, it's ion Li+ is smaller, this increases the charge density for this job appreciably. Consequently, its hydration energy becomes large.
Why does Hydration Enthalpy Decrease Down the Group?
Smaller the ion, the higher the hydration enthalpy will be because smaller atoms can accommodate a large number of water molecules around it and get hydrated. Hydration enthalpy decreases down the group; the size of the atom increases due to the addition of extra valence shells.
Also, the hydration enthalpy decreases since the size of the cation increases. However, due to the square factor, lattice enthalpy decreases faster than the hydration enthalpy. That's why the solubility of Group 2 hydroxides increases while it progresses down the group.
Hydration Enthalpy of Elements
Hydration enthalpy values of various elements are tabulated in the table given below:
Hydration power
Enthalpy of hydration, Hhyd, ion is the amount of energy released when ion molecules dissolve in large amounts of water to form a soluble solution that does not end up in this process.
Mz + (g) + mH2O Mz + (aq)
Mz + (aq) ions are covered by H2O molecules and dispersed in solution. Hydration power is limited by some of the common ions listed here. The table shows the fact that as the number of atoms increases, so does the ionic size, which leads to a decrease in the total enthalpy values of hydration.
Features affecting Hydration Enthalpy
Enthalpy of Hydration: Ionic Charge & Radius
The typical enthalpy fluctuations of hydration (ΔHhydθ) are affected by the number of ions attracted to water molecules.
Factors affecting this are the attraction of ionic charging and radiation
Ionic Radius
ΔHhydθ becomes extremely exothermic by reducing ionic radii
Smaller ions have a higher charge density which leads to a stronger attraction of ion-dipole interactions between water molecules and ions in solution.
Therefore, more energy is released when it becomes hydrated and ΔHhydθ
becomes more exothermic
For example, ΔHhydθ of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is more harmful than ΔHhydθ of barium sulfate (BaSO4)
Since both compounds contain sulfate (SO42-) ions, the difference in ΔHhydθ must be due to magnesium ion (Mg2+) in MgSO4 and barium (Ba2+) ions in BaSO4.
Magnesium is of Group 2
Barium is of Group 2
This means that Mg2+ ions are smaller than Ba2+ ions
The attraction is therefore very strong for Mg2+ ions
As a result, standard enthalpy for hydration of MgSO4 is more dangerous than BaSO4
Ionic Charging
ΔHhyd θ is very harmful to ions with high ionic ions
Ions with high ionic ions have a high charge capacity leading to a strong ion-dipole attraction between water molecules and ions in solution.
Therefore, more energy is released when it becomes hydrated and ΔHhydꝋ becomes more exothermic
For example, ΔHhyd θ of calcium oxide (CaO) is more harmful than ΔHhydθ of potassium chloride (KCl)
Calcium oxide is an ionic compound that contains calcium (Ca2+) and oxide (O2-) ions.
Potassium chloride is made up of potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) ions
Both ions in calcium oxide have a higher ionic charge than ions in potassium chloride
This means that the attraction is strong between water molecules and Ca2+ and O2- ions over CaO hydration.
Attractive properties are weak between water molecules and K+ and Cl- ions over KCl water infiltration
Therefore, ΔHhyd θ of calcium oxide is very dangerous as more energy is released from its absorption.
Hydration Enthalpy and Solubility
The ions in the solute are bound together by the coulombic force of attraction, in order to dissolve this soluble substance (here water) the water molecule must overcome these gravitational forces. The force required to cross this line of attraction is called lattice enthalpy.
Most ionic compounds do not dissolve in waterless solutions but show high solubility in water. A factor determining the dissolution of salts is the interaction of ions with the solvent. As previously described, water is a polar molecule with a positive charge, part hydrogen and part negative charge in oxygen, interacts with ions and forms a strong bond that releases energy.
The termination process can be considered as a combination of two processes.
The first is,
M + (S) → M + (g) △ = △Hhyd θ Lattice enthalpy
The second process is hydration,
M + (g) + aq → M + (aq) △ = △Hhyd θ Hydration enthalpy
Application of Hydration Enthalpy
One application of enthalpy of hydration is the reaction of cement with water. The reaction being exothermic releases a large amount of heat. This heat released becomes significant in mass constructions like building dams and big structures. For the construction of massive concrete blocks, large quantities of cement are used.
During the process of setting, the heat is released. The outer surfaces of the block cool relatively faster than the interior, this creates a thermal gradient in the block and can initiate cracks that lead to failure of the structure. To avoid this, low heat types of cement are preferred for massive construction; cement with pozzolanic admixtures preferably fly ash or slag and also using ice instead of water to prepare concrete.
FAQs on Hydration Enthalpy
1. What Is the High Definition of Hydration Enthalpy?
Heat energy is released when new bonds are formed between water molecules and ions called ion hydration enthalpy ions. When the ion hydration enthalpy is high, it means that the hydrated ion is very stable. Therefore, more attraction, more water installation, and more will be hydration enthalpy.
2. Is Hydration Releasing or Absorbing Energy?
Hydration enthalpy, also known as Hydration energy, is the amount of energy released when a single ion molecule goes through hydration. Drainage capacity is known as one part in the analysis of the solution volume. It is a special water condition.
3. What does Hydration Mean in General?
The process of providing an adequate amount of water to the body tissues is known as hydration. The chemical reaction by which a substance (like cement) combines with water, giving off heat to form a crystalline structure in its setting and hardening.
4. Is Hydration Enthalpy Positive or Negative?
Hydration enthalpies are always negative. Hydration enthalpy is an amount of energy released when there is an attraction between positive or negative ions and water molecules.
5. Why Does Lithium Have High Hydration Enthalpy?
The highest level of hydration enthalpy is of Lithium belonging to Group 1 and fluoride ion has the highest level of hydration enthalpy in Group 7. Lithium makes a significant difference between all alkaline metals in negative ions .
6. What is the relationship between hydration enthalpy and solubility?
If the lattice enthalpy has a large value, the compound does not melt slightly. When hydration enthalpy has a high value, the compound is very soluble in water.
7. When a substance dissolves in water, why is heat sometimes released and sometimes absorbed?
To address this question, consider the numerous enthalpy changes that occur during the process. Imagine a hypothetical procedure in which the crystal lattice is first split up into its individual gaseous ions, and then those ions are wrapped in water molecules. That is how they appear in the end result.
The lattice dissociation enthalpy is the amount of heat required to break up one mole of crystal lattice.
The hydration enthalpy of the ion is the heat energy emitted when new bonds are formed between ions and water molecules. When 1 mole of gaseous ions dissolve in enough water to make an indefinitely dilute solution, the hydration enthalpy changes. The enthalpies of hydration are always negative.
8. How does hydration and lattice power affect melting?
Hydration energy is released when something dissolves in water. If the hydration power exceeds the lattice capacity, the object will melt. Lattice energy is the amount of energy that binds to a crystal lattice. LiF does not dissolve in water because the lattice energy is higher than the water output.