Endothermic process

Overview

An endothermic process is a type of thermodynamic process in which a system absorbs energy from its surroundings in the form of heat. This is in contrast to an exothermic process, where energy is released into the surroundings. Endothermic processes are characterized by a positive change in enthalpy (_H > 0), indicating that the system gains energy.

Mechanism

In an endothermic process, the energy required to break the bonds of the reactants is greater than the energy released when new bonds are formed in the products. This results in a net absorption of energy. The absorbed energy is typically in the form of heat, which is taken from the surroundings, causing a decrease in the temperature of the environment.

Examples

Several common processes are endothermic:

• Photosynthesis: Plants absorb sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
• Melting of ice: Ice absorbs heat from the surroundings to change from solid to liquid.
• Evaporation: Liquid water absorbs heat to become water vapor.

Applications

Endothermic processes have various applications in industry and technology. For example, endothermic reactions are used in cold packs to provide localized cooling. In chemical engineering, endothermic reactions are utilized in processes such as steam reforming to produce hydrogen.

Video

{{#ev:commons|22.____________________.ogv|thumb|right|An example of an endothermic reaction.}}

Related pages

• Exothermic process
• Thermodynamics
• Chemical reaction
• Energy transfer