Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions

You are to carry out a series of test tube reactions to find out what changes in heat energy occur. In each case, you
need to measure the temperature of the solution(s) before starting the experiment and then any temperature change
during the experiment. If the temperature rises, then the reaction is exothermic. If the temperature falls, then the
reaction is endothermic.

1. The reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid.

 Take 10cm3 of hydrochloric acid, and place it in a boiling tube.

 Measure the initial temperature of the acid and record it below.
 To the acid add one piece of magnesium ribbon.
 Record any temperature change.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.

2. The reaction between barium hydroxide and ammonium chloride

This experiment will be demonstrated to you.

Some ammonium chloride is added to some barium hydroxide. The initial and final temperatures and any
temperature change are recorded.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.

3. The reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.

 Take 10cm3 of hydrochloric acid, and place it in a boiling tube.

 Measure the initial temperature of the acid and record it below.
 Take 10cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution in a separate measuring cylinder.
 Add the sodium hydroxide to the acid
 Record any temperature change.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.

4. The reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate.

 Take 10cm3 of ethanoic acid, and place it in a boiling tube.
 Measure the initial temperature of the acid and record it below.
 To the acid add one spatula of sodium carbonate powder.
 Record your observations below and any temperature change.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.

5. The reaction between citric acid and calcium carbonate.

 Dissolve some citric acid in 50cm3 of water.

 Measure the initial temperature of the acid and record it below.
 Add calcium carbonate to the solution, one spatula at a time. Stir and note the temperature after each addition.
Add 5 spatula measures in total.
 Record your observations below and any temperature change.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.
Repeat the experiment above but add sodium hydrogen carbonate instead of calcium carbonate.

Initial Temperature = °C
Final Temperature = °C
Temperature Change = °C

This reaction is _________________, because the temperature ____________. This means that heat energy is
being ____________ ________.
 Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

An _____________________ reaction is a reaction which _____________ heat energy. This type of reaction can be
detected because there is a temperature ___________.

An _____________________ reaction is a reaction which _____________ heat energy. This type of reaction can be
detected because there is a temperature ___________.

Examples of exothermic reactions include:

 Neutralisation of an acid by a base
 Burning or Combustion of a fuel
 Respiration in your body cells.

Examples of endothermic reactions include:

 The reactions which take place within food during cooking.
 Photosynthesis
 Manufacture of plastics such as polythene