EXORTHERMIC & ENDORTHERMIC REACTIONS
Burning is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen.
The substance that combines with oxygen is called a fuel.
Fuels store energy in the form of chemical energy. Charcoal, wood, coal, natural gas and oil
are examples of fuels.
When fuel is burnt, heat energy is given out (released). The chemical energy in the fuel is
changed to heat energy and light energy.
Combustion is another term used for burning. Combustion is often a fast reaction.
Reactants and products of combustion
The word equation for the reaction that takes place when charcoal burns is. Charcoal is a
form of carbon.
When charcoal burns, the oxygen and carbon atoms rearrange themselves and new bonds are
created to form molecules of carbon dioxide.
When this rearrangement happens, energy is given out and the temperature rises. A chemical
reaction in which energy is given out is called an exothermic reaction
Oxidation reactions
When a substance burns, it combines with oxygen and a new substance called an oxide is
formed.
Any reaction where a substance combines with oxygen is also known as an oxidation
reaction. Combustion is an oxidation reaction.
When iron rusts, it combines with oxygen from the air. Iron oxide is formed. Rusting is also
an oxidation reaction.
More exothermic reactions
In all exothermic reactions, heat energy is released to the environment and the reaction
temperature increases.
1. Reactions of metals with water
Potassium + water → potassium hydroxide + hydrogen
2. Reactions of metals with acid
Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
Experiment
1. Pour 10 cm3 of hydrochloric acid into a test tube and measured the temperature.
2. Add a piece of magnesium ribbon.
3. When the reaction stops measure the temperature again
4. Record the results in the table
Table of results
Starting temperature/0C Final temperature/0C
Endothermic reactions
Some chemical reactions take heat from their surroundings and store it as chemical energy.
These are called endothermic reactions.
When an endothermic reaction takes place, the temperature decreases.
When potassium chloride dissolves in water, heat energy is taken in (absorbed) from the
surroundings.
The beaker feels cold. This is an endothermic process
Ice melting is another endothermic process. Heat energy from the environment is taken in as
the solid ice changes to liquid water.
Exothermic vs endothermic
Using exothermic reactions
Exothermic reactions can be used to produce self-heating cans of food or drink.
For example, a can of self-heating coffee or self-heating food contains two chemicals, which
are in separate compartments.
When a button is pressed, the two chemicals mix with each other and react. The reaction
warms up the food or drink.
The chemicals used are calcium oxide and water. When the water and calcium oxide are
mixed together they react, and heat is given off.
Calcium oxide + water → calcium hydroxide
Using endothermic reactions and processes
When the ice pack is placed on the injured area, the melting ice takes in heat from the injured
area. This is an endothermic process. The injured area is cooled and this prevents swelling up.
Some ‘ice’ packs are made using substances that undergo an endothermic process when they
mix together. These packs do not need a refrigerator or freezer.
The pack has two compartments inside, each containing a different substance. These
substances are usually ammonium nitrate and water. When the pack is pushed on, the
compartment containing ammonium nitrate is broken, the water mixes with it and the
ammonium nitrate begins to dissolve. This is an endothermic process, so the temperature
drops
