Born-Haber Cycles: Energy Elevator
Drag and drop energy steps to build a complete Born-Haber cycle and find the missing Lattice Enthalpy.
About this simulation
- What
- An interactive Chemistry simulation of Born-Haber Cycles: Energy Elevator.
- Who
- Designed for AP, IB, and A‑Level Chemistry students.
- How
- Runs in any modern browser — drag, adjust, and explore in real time.
Updated 2025-10-09
Key Concepts
Lattice Enthalpy
The energy released when gaseous ions form a solid ionic lattice. It's usually the 'missing piece' in the cycle.
Hess's Law
The total energy change is independent of the path taken. ΔHf = Sum of all other steps.
Born-Haber Cycle
A thermodynamic cycle showing the relationship between formation energy and other steps (Ionization, Atomization, etc.).
Understanding Born-Haber Cycles
A Born-Haber Cycle is a thermochemical cycle used to determine the Lattice Enthalpy of an ionic compound, representing the energy change when gaseous ions form a solid ionic lattice.
By applying Hess's Law, the cycle correlates the enthalpy of formation to a series of measurable energetic steps, including Atomization Enthalpy, Ionization Energy, and Electron Affinity.
Our interactive 'Energy Elevator' allows you to stack these thermodynamic components, visualizing how energy levels shift and calculating the precise strength of ionic bonds for fundamental compounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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