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WORKSHEET
Chapter 8: Energy Changes

8.1 Exothermic and Endothermic Changes

1. An exothermic reaction is one where heat is given out. This causes a temperature rise
in the surroundings.

2. Examples of exothermic reactions are: dissolving of anhydrous salts in water, freezing,

condensation, respiration, neutralisation between acid and alkali, respiration and
combustion of fuels.

3. An endothermic reaction is one where heat is taken in. This causes a temperature fall in
the surroundings.

4. Examples of endothermic reactions are: dissolving of some ionic compounds in water,

melting, evaporation, photosynthesis, thermal decomposition and action of light of silver
bromide on photographic film.

5. The energy change in a chemical reaction is known as the heat change or enthalpy
change. It is measured in kilojoules and is represented by the symbol ∆H.

6. The enthalpy change for an exothermic reaction is negative (∆H < 0). The enthalpy
change for an endothermic reaction is positive (∆H > 0).

7. A convenient way to show energy changes in a chemical reaction is by means of an

energy level diagram.

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8. In an exothermic reaction, energy is given out, so the products have lower energy than
reactants. In an endothermic reaction, energy is absorbed, so the products have higher
energy than reactants.

Energy level diagram of an exothermic Energy level diagram of an endothermic

reaction: reaction:

8.2 Bond Breaking and Bond Making

1. Bond breaking is an endothermic process. Energy is absorbed. Bond making is an

exothermic process. Energy is released.

2. In an exothermic reaction, the total energy absorbed for bond breaking is less than the
total energy released for bond making. In an endothermic reaction, the total energy
absorbed for bond breaking is more than the total energy released for bond making.

3. Consider the reaction of hydrogen gas burning in oxygen to form steam:

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g)
(a) During the reaction, H–H bonds and O=O bonds are broken.
(b) In forming a steam molecule, O–H bonds are formed.

4. Overall, the combustion of hydrogen releases heat and is exothermic (∆H = –484 kJ).
This is because much more energy is released from the bond making than is required for
the bond breaking.

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8.3 Activation Energy and Energy Profile Diagrams

1. The activation energy is the minimum amount of energy that reactant particles must have
in order for a chemical reaction to occur.

2. An energy profile diagram shows graphically how the energy changes during a chemical
reaction. It shows the enthalpy change and activation energy of a reaction. The activation
energy acts as an energy barrier between the reactants and products.

Energy profile diagram of an exothermic reaction:

Energy profile diagram of an endothermic reaction: