Enthalpy of formation

Enthalpy of formation is the amount of energy needed to create one mole of a compound from its basic elements in their standard states, under normal conditions. It reflects how much energy is absorbed or released during this process. If the value is negative, energy is released, meaning the compound is more stable. If positive, energy is absorbed, indicating less stability. This concept helps chemists understand how compounds form and behave energetically, guiding predictions about chemical reactions and stability. It is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics and in calculating reaction energies.