This interactive module is part of Founding Pro
You can still read this page for free. Upgrade to unlock full interaction and HD video downloads from the available catalog.
chemistry/born-haber-cycles
View PricingBorn-Haber Cycles: Energy Elevator
Drag and drop energy steps to build a complete Born-Haber cycle and find the missing Lattice Enthalpy.
Upgrade to Founding Pro to unlock downloads
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
Related Simulations
Gibbs Free Energy
**Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)** is the thermodynamic criteria for reaction spontaneity. This simulator visualizes the competition between **Enthalpy (ΔH)** and **Entropy (ΔS)** as a function of temperature.
Hess's Law
Learn why enthalpy change depends only on initial and final states, practice thermochemical algebra, and work through the graphite–CO–CO₂ cycle with standard data.
Electrochemistry Cells
**Electrochemistry Cells** convert between chemical and electrical energy. This resource visualizes **Galvanic cells** (spontaneous batteries) and **Electrolytic cells** (recharging/electrolysis) through interactive electrode assembly.