In this post, we’ll look at endothermic and exothermic reactions.
Endothermic reactions
- An endothermic reaction is one in which heat is absorbed from the surrounding.
- As such, there is a decrease in temperature.
- The enthalpy change (∆H) is positive.
- Bond breaking is endothermic.
- An endothermic reaction is one in which the bonds broken are stronger than the bonds formed.
Exothermic reactions
- An exothermic reaction is one in which heat is given out to the surrounding.
- As such, there is an increase in temperature.
- The enthalpy change (∆H) is negative.
- Bond forming is exothermic.
- An exothermic reaction is one in which the bonds formed are stronger than the bonds broken.