Question

Distinguish between exothermic and endothermic reactions in terms of energy content of products and reactants. Thanks :)

Answer 1

Exothermic reaction releases heat during the reaction while endothermic reaction absorbs heat.

Answer 2

I like to think of a similar idea but instead of temperature, it's about PAIN!

You "exert" pain when you punch other people.

You "endure" pain when other people punch you.

Similarly, energy is being transferred away from a source during an exothermic reaction and energy is being transferred to the source during an endothermic reaction.

So in an exothermic reaction in a test tube, the reactants are actually losing energy and becoming cooler, but the heat has to go somewhere, that's why exothermic reactions are generally considered to be hot and can burn you. But another common exothermic reaction is liquid water freezing into ice.

Answer 3

exothermic rxn:
\[reactants \rightarrow products + \Delta H\]

endothermic rxn:
\[reactants + \Delta H \rightarrow products\]

Answer 4

Your welcome,,,,,lol

Answer 5

Imagine a situation where the reactants can follow one of 2 pathways.
Situation 1: Products are lower in energy. (energy has to go somewhere else, and it goes to the surroundings, so energy is released)

Situation 2: Products are higher in energy. (since energy has to come from the surroundings, energy is absorbed)