In Lesson 1, you learned how to infer enthalpy change through calorimetry and in Lesson 2, you learned how to predict theoretical enthalpy change by manipulating a series of reactions. Sometimes, however, you are provided with neither calorimetric data nor a series of reactions to manipulate. In these cases, you must use the "molar enthalpies of formation" method to make enthalpy predictions.

You may have noticed a table in your data booklet (pages 4 and 5) that lists "Standard Molar Enthalpies of Formation" for various compounds. But what exactly is a standard molar enthalpy of formation and how can these values be used to predict enthalpy change?