Chem - Energy Changes Flashcards
What is an exothermic reaction ?
A reaction which gives out thermal energy to the surroundings so will feel warm to the touch
What is an endothermic reaction
A reaction which takes in energy from the surroundings and so will feel cool to the touch
Explain activation energy
The energy needed for particles to collide with enough force to cause a reaction
Why are endothermic reactions less common than exothermic
They require a larger activation energy
What are the energy changes during a reaction
- Energy must be supplied to break the bonds
2. Energy is released when new bonds are formed
How do you calculate the overall energy change of a reaction
It’s the difference between the sum of the energy needed to break the bonds and the sum of the energy produced from bonds forming
If the energy released from bonds forming is greater than the energy taken in what sort of reaction is it
Exothermic