Energy in reactions

Changes in temperature happen often during chemical reactions.

Exothermic reactions Endothermic Reaction

A reaction where
A reaction where temperature falls.
temperature rises. e.g. ammonium nitrate
e.g. magnesium and acid and acid

This is an example of a reversible reaction.

Here is a reaction for making ammonia

Hydrogen + Nitrogen Ammonia

3 H2(g) + N2(g) 2 NH3(g)

To create the product ammonia its is necessary to break bonds between hydrogen and
nitrogen (the reactants).

To break bonds energy in required. Creating bonds releases energy.

388 kJ
436kJ

388 kJ

436kJ
388 kJ

388 kJ
944kJ
388 kJ
388 kJ
436kJ

Bonds Broken Bonds Made

436 + 436 + 436 + 944 = 2252kJ 388 x 6 = 2328kJ

Overall Energy Change = Bonds broken – Bonds made

Exothermic Reaction
In an endothermic - Because energy is
reaction the number 2252 - 2328 = -76kJ released (negative
would be positive. number)

32 GCSE Science: Chemistry 2 www.bangor.ac.uk