Exothermic and endothermic reactions are important terms that are commonly used in chemistry and other scientific fields. In this article, we will explain the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions, as well as provide examples to help you better understand each phenomenon.
Exothermic Reaction Definition
An exothermic reaction involves the release of energy in the form of heat. In exothermic reactions, energy is released to the surroundings. This energy can be in the form of light, sound, or heat. This results in the temperature of the atmosphere or the reaction medium increasing.
Chemical reactions are not the only way energy can be released. This energy can also be released in the form of electromagnetic radiation (such as light or heat) or even kinetic energy (such as sound).
Endothermic Reaction Definition
Contrarily, an endothermic reaction involves the absorption of energy from the surroundings. An endothermic reaction will always result in a decrease in temperature in the atmosphere or reaction medium. This is because in this type of reaction, the energy is being absorbed from the surroundings instead of released into it.
Much like exothermic reactions, endothermic reactions can involve the absorption of heat, light, sound, and even kinetic energy.
Exothermic Examples
The most commonly known example of an exothermic reaction is combustion. This is the process in which a fuel reacts with oxygen, and the energy released through the reaction is converted into heat, light, and sound. Another example of an exothermic reaction is the respiration process that all living organisms undergo.
Some other examples of exothermic reactions are baking bread, the digestion of food, photosynthesis,and phases of matter transitions.
Endothermic Examples
A common example of endothermic reactions is photo synthesis. This is because during this process, the energy from the sun is absorbed by the plants, and in turn, the plants produce and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Another example of an endothermic reaction is the melting of an ice cube. In this reaction, the energy in the form of heat is absorbed from the surroundings.
Other examples of endothermic reactions include freezing water, condensation, and chemical reactions between two substances.
Exothermic vs Endothermic
Now that we understand what exothermic and endothermic reactions are, we can compare and contrast the two. As we mentioned earlier, exothermic reactions involve the release of energy while endothermic reactions involve the absorption of energy. Exothermic reactions result in an increase in temperature while endothermic reactions result in a decrease in temperature.
Furthermore, exothermic reactions are often faster than endothermic reactions. This is because heat is released during the exothermic reaction and this accelerates the reaction.
The Role of Activation Energy
The main difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions is that exothermic reactions require less activation energy than endothermic reactions. Activation energy is the amount of energy that is required to start a reaction. Since exothermic reactions involve the release of energy, the activation energy needed is less than what is needed for an endothermic reaction .
This is why exothermic reactions are often faster; because they require lessactivation energy, the reaction can start more quickly.
Applications of Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
Exothermic reactions are used in a variety of industries, such as food and beverage production, chemical production, and petrochemical production. Endothermic reactions, on the other hand, are used in industries such as refrigeration and air conditioning. They are also used in a variety of chemical processes to control the temperature of the reaction medium.
In addition, exothermic and endothermic reactions are both used in welding and smelting processes.
Summary
To conclude, exothermic and endothermic reactions are important terms used in chemistry and other scientific fields. An exothermic reaction involves the release of energy while an endothermic reaction involves the absorption of energy. Examples of exothermic reactions are combustion and respiration while examples of endothermic reactions are photosynthesis and melting of an ice cube. Additionally, exothermic reactions require less activation energy than endothermic reactions, and they are used in a variety of industries such as food and beverage production, chemical production, and petrochemical production.
