What happens in an endothermic reaction?

What happens in an endothermic reaction?

• A. The surroundings get warmer.
• B. The surroundings get warmer due to energy absorption by the surroundings.
• C. The surroundings get colder.
• D. There is no temperature change in the surroundings.

Answer: (C)

Endothermic reactions involve energy being absorbed from the surroundings into the reacting substances. Because heat is drawn from the environment, the surroundings lose energy and their temperature drops. That’s why the statement that the surroundings get colder is the correct one. If heat were added to the surroundings, they would warm up, which isn’t what happens in an endothermic process. A helpful example is dissolving certain salts in water, which feels cold as the solution absorbs heat from the surroundings.

Endothermic reactions involve energy being absorbed from the surroundings into the reacting substances. Because heat is drawn from the environment, the surroundings lose energy and their temperature drops. That’s why the statement that the surroundings get colder is the correct one. If heat were added to the surroundings, they would warm up, which isn’t what happens in an endothermic process. A helpful example is dissolving certain salts in water, which feels cold as the solution absorbs heat from the surroundings.