Which of the following best describes what occurs in endothermic reactions?

• A. The products have less energy than the reactants.
• B. Energy is absorbed from the surroundings.
• C. Energy is released to the surroundings.
• D. The temperature of the surroundings increases.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of an endothermic reaction: it is a chemical reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings, usually in the form of heat.
2. Recall that in an endothermic reaction, the energy of the products is higher than that of the reactants because energy is taken in to form the products.
3. Recognize that because energy is absorbed, the surroundings lose energy, which often causes a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings.
4. Contrast this with exothermic reactions, where energy is released to the surroundings and the temperature of the surroundings increases.
5. Therefore, the best description of an endothermic reaction is that energy is absorbed from the surroundings.