Examples of Exothermic Reactions:

Example1. Combustion
Breaking and making bonds

Energy is transferred when bonds are broken or are formed.

Energy level diagrams
An energy level diagram shows the energy in the reactants and
products, and the difference in energy between them.

Exothermic reaction

The energy level decreases in an exothermic reaction. This is because

energy is given out to the surroundings.

Figure caption,
A downwards arrow shows that energy is given out
Endothermic reaction

The energy level increases in an endothermic reaction. This is because energy is

taken in from the surroundings.

Figure caption,
An upwards arrow shows that energy is taken in
Reaction profile diagrams
There are two simple ways of showing the energy changes that take place in a
chemical reaction:
• an energy level diagram
• a reaction profile
Reaction profiles
A reaction profile shows how the energy of the reactants and products changes
during a reaction. It includes the activation energy - the minimum energy
needed for a reaction to start. The activation energy is shown as a 'hump' in
the line which:
• starts at the energy of the reactants
• is equal to the difference in energy between the top of the 'hump' and
the reactants
The overall change in energy in a reaction is the difference between the energy
of the reactants and products.
Exothermic reactions
The diagram shows a reaction profile for an exothermic reaction.
Describe how you can see from a reaction profile that a reaction is
exothermic.

In an exothermic reaction, the energy change is negative.

This is because the products have less energy than the reactants and
the arrow showing the overall change in energy points downwards
Endothermic reactions

The diagram shows a reaction profile for an endothermic reaction

Describe how you can see from a reaction profile that a reaction is
endothermic.
In an endothermic reaction, the energy change is positive.
This is because the products have more energy than the reactants and the arrow
showing the overall change in energy points upwards
 EXOTHERMIC
Diagram showing the Enthalpy Change during an
Exothermic Reaction
DEFINITION:
Reaction in which energy is given out to
surroundings, decreasing energy level
(temperature increases)
EXPLANATION:
• During an exothermic reaction,
energy is given out to surroundings
• Therefore, the energy of products
will be lower than the energy of
reactants, having -△H (this is
represented in energy-level diagram
above)
ENDOTHERMIC
Diagram showing the Enthalpy Change during an
Endothermic Reaction
DEFINITION:
Reaction in which energy is taken in from
surroundings, increasing energy level
(temperature decreases)
EXPLANATION:
• During an endothermic reaction,
energy is taken in from surroundings
• Therefore, the energy of
products will be higher than the energy
of reactants, having +△H (this is
represented in energy-level diagram
above)