Standard Enthalpy of Formation

[Samantha Melin 2E]

Can someone explain why the standard enthalpy of formation of an element is zero? Does this still apply to elements that don't naturally occur in nature?

[Krutika_Joshi_3I]

Elements that are naturally occurring take no energy to form, so their standard enthalpies of formation are zero. I think that if an element was not naturally occurring and it had to be formed, it would have a non-zero standard enthalpy of formation.

[Alexander Moroz 1B]

You cannot breakdown or form an element in its natural form. Elements come from themselves so there is no heat/energy required in making them.

[SofiaMammaro-1K]

The enthalpy of formation for an element in its elemental state will always be 0 because it takes no energy to form a naturally-occurring compound. When a substance is formed from the most stable form of its elements, a change in enthalpy takes place.