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What are the Key Differences between Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions?

Author: Tuto Root
by Tuto Root
Posted: Dec 01, 2023

Endothermic reactions, as the name suggests, are chemical reactions that absorb heat from their surroundings. These reactions involve the conversion of reactants into products, requiring the input of external thermal energy. As a result, the temperature of the surroundings decreases during an endothermic reaction. To understand this concept in more detail, you can check out our blog post titled "What is Endothermic Reaction".

Moving on to exothermic reactions, we encounter an intriguing contrast. Unlike endothermic reactions, exothermic reactions release heat into their surroundings. This means that the reactants’ conversion into products liberates thermal energy, causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase. If you’re curious to explore the inner mechanisms of exothermic reactions, we recommend reading our detailed article titled "What are exothermic reactions".

Endothermic Reaction vs Exothermic Reaction

In a nutshell, the key differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions can be summarized as follows:

  • Endothermic reactions require the absorption of heat from the surroundings while exothermic reactions release heat into the surroundings.
  • Endothermic reactions cause a decrease in temperature whereas exothermic reactions lead to an increase in temperature.
  • The energy of the products in an endothermic reaction is higher than the energy of the reactants, while the energy of the products in an exothermic reaction is lower than the energy of the reactants.
  • Notable examples of endothermic reactions include photosynthesis, evaporation, and ice melting, while exothermic reactions encompass combustion, neutralization reactions, and hand warmers.

These distinctive characteristics set endothermic and exothermic reactions apart and contribute to the diverse range of chemical reactions present in nature.

In conclusion, understanding the disparities between endothermic and exothermic reactions is vital for comprehending the complex world of chemistry. Endothermic reactions absorb heat from their surroundings, decreasing the surrounding temperature, while exothermic reactions release heat, leading to an increase in temperature. By identifying the temperature changes and observing the energy transfers, we can differentiate between these fascinating reactions. So, whether you’re witnessing photosynthesis or experiencing the combustion of methane, take a moment to appreciate the intricate dance between endothermic and exothermic reactions that shape our chemical landscape.

This is all about Endothermic reaction vs exothermic reaction, we have given in-depth information about the identification of endothermic and exothermic reactions. If you want to learn tough concepts like endothermic and exothermic reactions, online tuition helps you in a better way. Tutoorot offers the best personalised online tuition that helps students understand concepts in a conceptual way.

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Author: Tuto Root

Tuto Root

Member since: Feb 24, 2022
Published articles: 192

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