Chemistry 2015-2016 Name:

Endothermic/Exothermic Reading Date: Per:

Directions: Read the following and use it to answer the questions on the back. This copy is yours to keep,
so annotate it as you see fit.

All chemical processes are accompanied by energy changes. When a reaction proceeds, it either releases
energy to, or absorbs energy from, its surroundings. In thermodynamics, these two types of reactions are
classified as exothermic or endothermic, respectively. An easy way to remember the difference between
these two reaction types is by their prefixes: endo- means to draw in, and exo- means to give off. We will
explore these concepts in more detail after introducing the concept of enthalpy.

Enthalpy
Enthalpy (signified as H) is a measure of the total energy of a system and often expresses and simplifies
energy transfer between systems. Since the total enthalpy of a system cannot be measured directly, we
most often refer to the change in enthalpy for a particular chemical reaction. At constant pressure, the
change in enthalpy is equal to the heat given off, or the heat absorbed, in a given chemical reaction:
ΔH=qrxn (where q represent heat)
Due to this relation, the change in enthalpy, ΔH, is often referred to as the "heat of reaction."

Exothermic Reactions
Exothermic reactions are reactions or processes that release energy, usually in the form of heat or light.
In an exothermic reaction, energy is released because the total energy of the products is less than the
total energy of the reactants. For this reason, the change in enthalpy, ΔH, for an exothermic reaction will
always be negative. In the presence of water, a strong acid will dissociate quickly and release heat, so it is
an exothermic reaction. In an exothermic reaction, the total energy of the products is less than the total
energy of the reactants. Therefore, the change in enthalpy is negative, and heat is released to the
surroundings.

Endothermic Reactions
Endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the
reaction to proceed. Since endothermic reactions draw in heat from their surroundings, they tend to
cause their environments to cool down. They are also generally non-spontaneous, since endothermic
reactions yield products that are higher in energy than the reactants. As such, the change in enthalpy for
an endothermic reaction is always positive. In order to melt the ice cube, heat is required, so the process
is endothermic.
In an endothermic reaction, the products are higher in energy than the reactants. Therefore, the change
in enthalpy is positive, and heat is absorbed from the surroundings by the reaction.
Whether a reaction is endothermic or exothermic depends on the direction that it is going; some
reactions are reversible, and when you revert the products back to reactants, the change in enthalpy is
opposite.

Adapted from: Boundless. “Exothermic and Endothermic Processes.” Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 29 Apr. 2015. Retrieved 21 May. 2015
from https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/thermochemistry-6/enthalpy-59/exothermic-and-endothermic-
processes-277-3716/
1. All chemical reactions involve the transfer of _______________________________.

2. Endothermic processes require an input of energy to proceed and are signified by a _____________________

change in enthalpy. Energy moves from the _____________________________ to the _____________________________.

3. Exothermic processes release energy upon completion, and are signified by a ____________________

change in enthalpy. Energy moves from the _____________________________ to the _____________________________.

4. What do the prefixes endo and exo mean?

5. Classify each of the following as endothermic or exothermic. Circle the correct word.
a. An ice cube sitting on a counter and melting exothermic endothermic

b. Water boiling exothermic endothermic

c. A combustion reaction exothermic endothermic

d. A chemical reaction occurs in water. Over the course of the reaction, the temperature
decreases. exothermic endothermic

e. A chemical reaction occurs in water. Over the course of the reaction, the temperature
increases. exothermic endothermic

6. Identify the system and surroundings for each of the examples above.

a. System ________________________________ Surroundings ________________________________

b. System ________________________________ Surroundings ________________________________

c. System ________________________________ Surroundings ________________________________

d. System ________________________________ Surroundings ________________________________

e. System ________________________________ Surroundings ________________________________

7. Circle the graph that represents an endothermic reaction. Justify your answer.

Adapted from: Boundless. “Exothermic and Endothermic Processes.” Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 29 Apr. 2015. Retrieved 21 May. 2015
from https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/thermochemistry-6/enthalpy-59/exothermic-and-endothermic-
processes-277-3716/