The heats of combustion of carbon and carbon monoxide are −283.5 and −283.5 kJ mol−1 respectively. The heat of formation (in kJ) of carbon monoxide per mole is
– 110.5
C(s)+O2(g)→CO2(g);ΔH=−393.5 kJ mol−1
CO+12O2→CO2(g); ΔH=−283.5 kJ mol−1
On subtracting Eq. (ii) from Eq. (i), we get
C(s)+12 O2(g)→CO(g)ΔH=(−393.5+283.5)kJ mol−1=−110kJ mol−1 (approx)