How do you calculate lattice enthaply?

You can't directly measure lattice enthalpy of a solid crystal, so you have to look at a different method. Usually this would be experimentally or using Hess's Law to construct a Born-Haber cycle. The Born-Haber cycle uses molar enthalpies of formation, atomisation, ionisation and electron affinity of the various elements in the lattice to calculate the molar lattice enthalpy, which is enthalpy change when gaseous ions forms a lattice and is always negative.
For Example, the lattice enthalpy of Sodium Chloride can be calculated to be -786 kJ/mol with the given information below (in kJ/mol):Formation of NaCl: -411Atomisation of Na: +107Atomisation of 1/2 Cl2: +121Ionisation of Na: +496Electron affinity of Cl: -349

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is the enthalpy of hydration of a chloride ion more negative than that of a bromide ion, using your knowledge of the attractive forces involved.


Why can both major and minor products be formed during an eimination reaction?


Predict whether the lattice energy of magnesium oxide, MgO, is more or less exothermic than the lattice energy of magnesium sulfide, MgS. Justify your answer in terms of the sizes and the charges of the ions involved.


What's added to Ethanoyl Chloride to make Methyl Ethanoate? Draw out the mechanism for this reaction. Why is this preferred to esterification?