what is the difference betweem endergonic/exergonic and exothermic/endothermic?

Answer 1

Same thing - used by different fields. Biologists prefer to use endergonic/exergonic, and so the term usually has a more chemical connotation. They use the term to describe most molecular bonding - unbonding.

On the other hand, exothermic/endothermic are slightly more general concepts used in most physical sciences. They describe thermodynamic reactions, not necessarily bonding. For example, ice melting can be described as and endothermic process, whereas scientists would find it odd to label it as an endergonic reaction.

They are essentially the same concepts, but used in different context.

Answer 2

An exothermic process is one that gives off heat. This heat is transferred to the surroundings.

An endothermic process is one in which heat has to be supplied to the system from the surroundings.

Photosynthesis is an example of an endothermic chemical reaction. In this process, plants use the energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

An example of an exothermic reaction is the mixture of sodium and chlorine to yield table salt.

An endergonic reaction (also called an unfavorable reaction or a nonspontaneous reaction) is a chemical reaction in which the standard change in free energy is positive. Endergonic reactions can be achieved if they are either pulled or pushed by an exergonic (stability increasing, negative change in Free Energy) process.

Exergonic means to release energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon meaning to work, combined with the Greek prefix ex- meaning out of. Thus, an exergonic process, as contrasted with an endergonic process, is one that releases energy from the system, of which it is a part, to the surroundings. As a result, during an exergonic process, energy is released out of the system.

Answer 3

in thermodynamics, enthalpy (H) and free energy (G) are types of energy:

H = U + pV
G = H - TS

U is internal energy, P is pressure, V is volume, T is temperature, and S is entropy.

thermodynamic processes transfer energy between the system and surroundings. exergonic/exothermic processes transfer energy from the system to the surroundings, which is defined as a negative change in energy. conversely, endergonic/endothermic processes have positive energy changes. exergonic/endergonic applies to free energy, while exothermic/endothermic applies to enthalpy.

enthalpy is energy that can be converted to heat at constant pressure. free energy is energy that can be converted to useful work at constant pressure and constant temperature. they are NOT the same thing.