CHAPTER 8

Energy
Changes

The following content has not been through the Cambridge Assessment International Education endorsement process. 1
Questions
• Imagine that you are a firefighter at the scene of
a forest fire. What would you feel from the fire?
• Is heat given out or absorbed in a forest fire?
• What are some other examples that involve energy
changes?
• What kind of energy change occurs during a forest
fire?

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8.1 Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
In this section, you will learn the following:
• State that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal
energy to the surroundings.
• State that an exothermic reaction leads to an
increase in the temperature of the surroundings.
• State that an endothermic reaction takes in thermal
energy from the surroundings.
• State that an endothermic reaction leads to a
decrease in the temperature of the surroundings.
• State that enthalpy change (∆H) is the transfer of
thermal energy during a reaction.
• State that ∆H is negative for exothermic
reactions and positive for endothermic reactions

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8.1 Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
Experiments to investigate energy
Procedure:
1. Measure the temperature of the water.
2. Add the solid into the water and then stir the mixture.
3. Measure the temperature of the water after the solid has
completely dissolved in it.

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Experiment 1

Observation:

Add sodium
hydroxide
pellets

Initial temperature: 28°C Final temperature: 34°C

The temperature of the water increased by 6°C.

Conclusion: Heat energy: Given out to the surroundings

Exothermic change occurred.

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Experiment 2

Observation:

Add solid
ammonium
chloride

Initial temperature: 28°C Final temperature: 22°C

The temperature of the water decreased by 6°C.

Conclusion: Heat energy: Absorbed from the surroundings

Endothermic change occurred

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Exothermic reactions Endothermic reactions
• Transfer of thermal energy (heat) to the surroundings • Absorption of thermal energy from the surroundings
• Temperature of surroundings increases • Temperature of surroundings decreases
• Products are at a lower energy • Products are at a higher energy

• ∆H < 0 or ∆H = negative
• ∆H > 0 or ∆H = positive
• Activation energy (EA) needed to start a reaction
• Activation energy (EA) needed to start a reaction
• EA = negative
• EA = positive
• E
• E

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Examples of exothermic reactions

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Examples of endothermic reactions

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The Enthalpy Change (∆H) of a Reaction
The enthalpy change, ΔH, represents the difference in energy content
of the reactants and products.

Enthalpy

ΔH = total energy of products − total energy of reactants

Endothermic reaction: ∆H > 0 Exothermic reaction: ΔH < 0

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8.2 Reaction Pathway Diagrams
In this section, you will learn the following:
• Interpret reaction pathway diagrams for
exothermic and endothermic reactions.

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8.2 Reaction Pathway Diagrams
Reaction pathway diagram for an exothermic reaction
The energy changes that take place during a chemical reaction can be shown by a reaction pathway diagram.

Reactants have more energy

Reactants

Energy given out to the surroundings

(∆H = negative)

Products
Products have less energy

Progress of reaction

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8.2 Reaction Pathway Diagrams
Reaction pathway diagram for an endothermic reaction

Products have more energy

Products

Energy taken in from the surroundings

(∆H = positive)

Reactants Reactants have less energy

Progress of reaction

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8.3 Activation Energy
In this section, you will learn the following:
• Define activation energy, EA.
• Draw and label reaction pathway diagrams for
exothermic and endothermic reactions that
include the reactants, the products, the
activation energy, EA, and the enthalpy
change, ΔH.

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8.3 Activation Energy
Activation energy, EA, is the minimum
energy that colliding particles must have in
order to react.

A reaction will occur only when reactant

particles possess energy equal to or more
than the activation energy.

The volleyball (reactants) must be given

sufficient energy in order for it to go over
the net (energy barrier).

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Reaction pathway diagram for exothermic reaction

Activation
Energy (EA)

Enthalpy change
(∆H = negative)

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Reaction pathway diagram for endothermic reaction

Activation
Enthalpy change
Energy
(EA) (∆H = positive)

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8.4 Bond Breaking and Bond Making
In this section, you will learn the following:
• State that bond breaking is an endothermic
process and bond making is an exothermic
process.
• Explain the enthalpy change of a reaction in terms
of bond breaking and bond making.
• Calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction using
bond energies.

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8.4 Bond Breaking and Bond Making
What causes energy changes in chemical reactions?
When nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to form ammonia, heat is given off.

However, when nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen monoxide, heat is absorbed.

Energy changes in reactions are

caused by the making and breaking of
chemical bonds.

• Bond breaking is an endothermic

process

• Bond making is an exothermic process

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How can we tell if a reaction is exothermic or endothermic?
Whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic depends on its overall enthalpy change.

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The equation for the reaction between nitrogen
and oxygen to form nitrogen monoxide is:

Energy changes in the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen to

form nitrogen monoxide

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Calculating the enthalpy change of a reaction using
bond energies of the reaction
Bond energy is the energy required to break a covalent bond.
Calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form water.

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Calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form water.

Total energy absorbed for bond breaking = 2 x 436 + 496 = 1368 kJ

Energy released on forming 2 mol of H2O molecules = 4 x 463 = 1852 kJ

Overall heat change Total energy absorbed Total energy released

=
(∆H) for bond breaking for bond making
= 1365 - 1852
= -484 -

The negative value of the overall ∆H indicates that the reaction between
hydrogen and oxygen to form water is exothermic.

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 What have you learnt?

? ?

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 What have you learnt?

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What have you learnt?

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What have you learnt?

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 IGCSE Chemistry Student Book

Acknowledgements
• Slide 1: Forest fire © Jeerasak Soonrai | 123rf.com
• Slide 2: © Dieter G | pixabay.com (https://pixabay.com/videos/fire-explosion-film-leader-621/)

© 2020 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 29