Multiple Choice
A positive value for ΔH for a chemical reaction is an indication of which of the following?
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8. Thermochemistry
Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
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During an endothermic reaction, what typically happens to the temperature of the surroundings?
A
The temperature of the surroundings increases.
B
The temperature of the surroundings remains unchanged.
C
The temperature of the system increases.
D
The temperature of the surroundings decreases.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the difference between the system and the surroundings in a chemical reaction. The system is the part of the universe where the reaction occurs, and the surroundings are everything else around it.
Recall that an endothermic reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings into the system. This means the system gains energy in the form of heat.
Since heat is absorbed by the system, the surroundings lose heat energy. Losing heat causes the temperature of the surroundings to decrease.
Therefore, during an endothermic reaction, the temperature of the surroundings typically decreases because heat flows from the surroundings into the system.
This explains why the correct answer is: 'The temperature of the surroundings decreases.'
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