Learn the difference between Exothermic and endothermic reaction. The basis of comparison include: description, production, change in enthalpy, end-product stability, temperature, examples and energy.
What Is An Exothermic Reaction?
Exothermic reactions are reactions or processes that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light to its environment. Examples of exothermic reactions include:
- Thermite reaction
- Neutralization reaction (Mixing base and acid).
- Combustion of fuel.
- Respiration
- Nuclear fission
- Corrosion of metal
- Dissolving an acid in water.
What Is An Endothermic Reaction?
Endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the reaction to Proceed. Given that they absorb heat from their surrounding, they tend to cool down their environments. Examples of endothermic reaction include:
- Dissolving ammonium chloride in water.
- Cracking alkanes
- Photosynthesis
- Melting ice
- Evaporating liquid water
Exothermic Reaction
- Exothermic reactions are reactions or processes that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light to its environment.
- In this type of reaction energy is released because the total energy of the products is less than the total energy of the reactants.
- The change in enthalpy is a negative value for exothermic reactions.
- The temperature increases with the progression of exothermic reactions.
- A few examples of exothermic reactions are thermite reaction, oxidation of metals, campfire, Explosions, nuclear fission, burning coal, and ice making process.
- In exothermic reactions, energy is released from the system.
- The final products are stable in exothermic reactions.
Endothermic Reaction
- Endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the reaction to Proceed. Given that they absorb heat from their surrounding, they tend to cool down their environments.
- This type of reaction is non-spontaneous because it yields products that are higher in energy than the reactants.
- The change in enthalpy is a positive value for endothermic reactions.
- The temperature decrease with the progression of endothermic reactions.
- A few instances of endothermic reactions include photosynthesis, dissolving of ice, dissipating fluid water, sublimation of carbon dioxide (dry ice),
- In endothermic reaction, energy is given to the system.
- End-products in endothermic reaction are less stable.
Differences Between Exothermic And Endothermic Reaction In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | EXOTHERMIC | ENDOTHERMIC |
| Description | Exothermic reactions are reactions or processes that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light to its environment. | Endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the reaction to Proceed. Given that they absorb heat from their surrounding, they tend to cool down their environments. |
| Products | In this type of reaction energy is released because the total energy of the products is less than the total energy of the reactants. | This type of reaction is non-spontaneous because it yields products that are higher in energy than the reactants. |
| Change in Enthalpy | The change in enthalpy is a negative value for exothermic reactions. | The change in enthalpy is a positive value for endothermic reactions. |
| Temperature | The temperature increases with the progression of exothermic reactions. | The temperature decrease with the progression of endothermic reactions. |
| Examples | A few examples of exothermic reactions are thermite reaction, oxidation of metals, campfire, Explosions, nuclear fission, burning coal, and ice making process. | A few examples of endothermic reactions include photosynthesis, dissolving of ice, dissipating fluid water, sublimation of carbon dioxide (dry ice), |
| Energy | In exothermic reactions, energy is released from the system. | In endothermic reaction, energy is given to the system. |
| End-products Stability | The final products are stable in exothermic reactions. | End-products in endothermic reaction are less stable. |
Similarities between Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
- In both reactions, a new substance is formed.
- In both reactions, energy is involved.
- In both reactions, a chemical change takes place.
- In both, reaction there is significant changes in temperatures.
Summary
Exothermic reactions are reactions or processes that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light to its environment whereas endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the reaction to Proceed.