In order to determine if a reaction is exothermic or not, you can measure the temperature around the system. If the system is colder then it released energy meaning it is exothermic and if not then it is endothermic. Correct?
2006-10-30 05:24:34 · 5 answers · asked by geniusflightnurse 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It sounds like you're on the right track. If heat it released from the system to the surroundings then the process is exothermic. If heat is absorbed into the system from the surroundings then the process is endothermic. If you are dealing with calorimetry and you are measuring the temperature of the surroundings and there is an increase in that temperature while the reaction is taking place, then yes, it would be correct to say that the reaction is exothermic.
2006-10-30 05:30:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope.... if you measure the energy of the system and it got colder it had to take energy in from the surroundings in order to get colder so it is an enothermic reaction. IF the system gets warmer it releases energy (an increase in temperature) and it is an exothermic reaction.
I hope this helps =)
2006-10-30 13:29:44 · answer #2 · answered by Annnie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you got them backwards. If the reaction is exothermic, then the surrounding temperature should increase. (Like a MRE heater you add water to) If the reaction in endothermic, then the surrounding system should get colder. (Like an instant ice pack)
2006-10-30 13:29:36 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A reaction is exothermic when it produces energy. It will be hotter than the temperature around it. When it is endothermic it will be colder.
Something feels cold because heat is flowing from you into it. We don't actually feel temperature, we feel heat flow. If your system feels cold, then it means that heat, a form of energy, is flowing into the system so it is endothermic.
2006-10-30 13:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by (f-_-)f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. This assumes that the temperatures were equal before the reaction.
2006-10-30 13:31:10 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋