Heat of
Neutralization
Energy released by
reaction = Energy absorbed by solution
Cs = q / [(mass) (Tfinal-Tinitial)]
Net ionic equation for neutralization:
H+(aq) + OH-(aq) ¨ H2O(l)
Specific heat capacity, Cs, is defined as the quantity of heat transferred, q, divided by the mass of the substance times the change in temperature. A value of Cs is specific
to the given substance.
q = Cs (mass) (Tfinal-Tinitial)
This can then be rearranged to solve
for the heat transferred.