Energetics

Endothermic and Exothermic reactions

Most reactions give out or take in energy as they proceed. The amount of energy involved when a reaction takes place is important for many reasons, including:

• We can measure the energy values of fuels
• We can calculate the energy requirements for industrial processes.
• We can work out the theoretical amount of energy to break bonds and the amount of energy released when bonds are made.
• It helps us to predict whether or not a reaction will take place.

Thermochemistry

This is the study of heat changes during chemical reactions.

• When a chemical reaction takes place, chemical bonds break and new ones are formed.
• Energy must be put in to break bonds and given out when bonds are formed, so most reactions involve an energy…