endo/exothermic reactions

• Exothermic reaction


  Reaction that transfers energy from the reacting molecules to the surroundings, causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase
• Endothermic reaction


  Reaction that takes in energy from the surroundings, causing the temperature of the surroundings to decrease
• Energy profile diagram for exothermic reaction

  1. Reactants have more energy than products

  2. Energy is released to the surroundings
• Energy profile diagram for endothermic reaction

  1. Products have more energy than reactants

  2. Energy is taken in from the surroundings
• Activation energy


  Minimum amount of energy that particles must have in order to react
• Activation energy on energy profile diagram

  Represented by the peak of the curve
• Reactions can only occur when the particles collide with each other and they have to do that with sufficient energy