Definition
Heat of neutralization (ΔHₙ) is the heat released when 1 equivalent (or 1 mole of H⁺) reacts with 1 equivalent (or 1 mole of OH⁻) to form 1 mole of water in a neutralization reaction.
General reaction: H + ( a q ) + O H − ( a q ) → H 2 O ( l ) \mathrm{H^+(aq) + OH^-(aq) \rightarrow H_2O(l)}
It is exothermic .
ΔH is negative .
Standard Heat of Neutralization
For a strong acid + strong base :Δ H = − 57.1 kJ mol − 1 \boxed{\Delta H = -57.1 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}
or approximately− 13.7 kcal mol − 1 \boxed{-13.7 \text{ kcal mol}^{-1}}
Examples
H C l + N a O H → N a C l + H 2 O \mathrm{HCl + NaOH \rightarrow NaCl + H_2O} H N O 3 + K O H → K N O 3 + H 2 O \mathrm{HNO_3 + KOH \rightarrow KNO_3 + H_2O} H B r + L i O H → L i B r + H 2 O \mathrm{HBr + LiOH \rightarrow LiBr + H_2O}
All haveΔ H ≈ − 57.1 kJ mol − 1 \boxed{\Delta H \approx -57.1\ \text{kJ mol}^{-1}}
Why is it always −57.1 kJ mol⁻¹?
Strong acids and strong bases completely ionize .
Example:H C l → H + + C l − \mathrm{HCl \rightarrow H^+ + Cl^-} N a O H → N a + + O H − \mathrm{NaOH \rightarrow Na^+ + OH^-}
Actual reaction:H + + C l − + N a + + O H − \mathrm{H^+ + Cl^- + Na^+ + OH^-}
↓N a + + C l − + H 2 O \mathrm{Na^+ + Cl^- + H_2O}
Net ionic equation:H + + O H − → H 2 O \boxed{\mathrm{H^+ + OH^- \rightarrow H_2O}}
The spectator ions (Na⁺, Cl⁻) do not affect the heat released.
Strong Acid + Weak Base
Example:H C l + N H 4 O H → N H 4 C l + H 2 O \mathrm{HCl + NH_4OH \rightarrow NH_4Cl + H_2O}
Observed heat:
≈ −51 to −55 kJ mol⁻¹
Why smaller?
Weak base is not completely ionized .
Energy is required for ionization:N H 4 O H → N H 4 + + O H − \mathrm{NH_4OH \rightarrow NH_4^+ + OH^-}
Some heat is used in ionization.
Therefore,Heat released < 57.1 kJ \boxed{\text{Heat released} < 57.1\ \text{kJ}}
Weak Acid + Strong BaseExample:C H 3 C O O H + N a O H → C H 3 C O O N a + H 2 O \mathrm{CH_3COOH + NaOH \rightarrow CH_3COONa + H_2O}
Heat released:
≈ −55 kJ mol⁻¹
Reason:
Acetic acid is weak.C H 3 C O O H ⇌ H + + C H 3 C O O − \mathrm{CH_3COOH \rightleftharpoons H^+ + CH_3COO^-}
Energy is required for ionization before H⁺ reacts.
Hence,Δ H < − 57.1 kJ \boxed{\Delta H < -57.1\ \text{kJ}}
Weak Acid + Weak Base
Example:C H 3 C O O H + N H 4 O H \mathrm{CH_3COOH + NH_4OH}
Heat released is the smallest among the four combinations because both reactants require ionization.
Order of Heat Released
Strong acid + Strong base > Strong acid + Weak base ≈ Weak acid + Strong base > Weak acid + Weak base \boxed{ \text{Strong acid + Strong base} > \text{Strong acid + Weak base} \approx \text{Weak acid + Strong base} > \text{Weak acid + Weak base} } Strong acid + Strong base>Strong acid + Weak base≈Weak acid + Strong base>Weak acid + Weak base
Effect of Concentration
Heat of neutralization depends on the number of moles neutralized , not simply on concentration.
Example:
100 mL of 1 M HCl + 100 mL of 1 M NaOH
Moles reacted:0.1 mol 0.1\ \text{mol} 0.1 mol
Heat evolved:0.1 × 57.1 = 5.71 kJ 0.1 \times 57.1 = 5.71\ \text{kJ}
Formula for Numerical Problems
Method 1
q = n × 57.1 kJ \boxed{q = n \times 57.1\ \text{kJ}}
where n n n = moles of water formed (or moles of H⁺ neutralized).
Method 2 (Calorimetry)
q = m c Δ T \boxed{q = mc\Delta T}
where
m m = mass of solution
c c = specific heat (≈ 4.18 J g⁻¹ K⁻¹)
Δ T \Delta T = temperature rise
Then,Δ H = − q moles reacted \Delta H = \frac{-q}{\text{moles reacted}}
Polybasic Acids
H₂SO₄ + NaOH
H 2 S O 4 + 2 N a O H → N a 2 S O 4 + 2 H 2 O \mathrm{H_2SO_4 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2SO_4 + 2H_2O}
Water formed = 2 mol
Heat released2 × 57.1 = 114.2 kJ 2 \times 57.1 = 114.2\ \text{kJ}
H₃PO₄ + 3NaOH
H 3 P O 4 + 3 N a O H → N a 3 P O 4 + 3 H 2 O \mathrm{H_3PO_4 + 3NaOH \rightarrow Na_3PO_4 + 3H_2O} H3PO4+3NaOH→Na3PO4+3H2O
Maximum heat:3 × 57.1 = 171.3 kJ 3 \times 57.1 = 171.3\ \text{kJ}
Heat Released per Mole of Acid
Acid Water formed Heat released HCl 1 −57.1 kJ HNO₃ 1 −57.1 kJ H₂SO₄ 2 −114.2 kJ H₃PO₄ (complete) 3 −171.3 kJ
Important JEE/NEET Points
Heat of neutralization is always negative (exothermic).
It is defined per mole of water formed (or per mole of H⁺ neutralized).
Strong acid + strong base → −57.1 kJ mol⁻¹ .
Weak acids/bases show a lower magnitude because part of the energy is used for ionization.
Spectator ions do not affect the heat of neutralization.
Use the limiting reagent to determine the moles of water formed.
Previous JEE/NEET-Type Questions
Q1
100 mL of 1 M HCl is mixed with 100 mL of 1 M NaOH. Heat evolved is:
Solution:
Moles HCl = 0.1 mol
Moles NaOH = 0.1 mol
Water formed = 0.1 mol
Heat:0.1 × 57.1 = 5.71 kJ 0.1 \times 57.1 = \boxed{5.71\ \text{kJ}}
Q2
One mole of H₂SO₄ is completely neutralized by NaOH. Heat evolved is:
Water formed = 2 mol2 × 57.1 = 114.2 kJ 2 \times 57.1 = \boxed{114.2\ \text{kJ}}
Q3
Which reaction has the greatest heat of neutralization?
A. HCl + NaOH B. CH₃COOH + NaOH C. HCl + NH₄OH D. CH₃COOH + NH₄OH
Answer: A. HCl + NaOH (strong acid + strong base)
JEE/NEET Revision Box
Definition: Heat released when 1 mol of H₂O is formed by neutralization.
Strong acid + strong base: −57.1 kJ mol⁻¹
Weak acid/base: Lower magnitude due to ionization.
Formula: q = n × 57.1 kJ q = n \times 57.1\ \text{kJ} q=n×57.1 kJ
H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH: −114.2 kJ
H₃PO₄ + 3NaOH: −171.3 kJ (complete neutralization)
Always calculate using the moles of water formed (or H⁺ neutralized) and the limiting reagent .