What Are Exothermic And Endothermic Changes? Examples Unveiled!

An exothermic change refers to a chemical or physical process that releases heat energy into the surrounding environment. Let’s explore this concept with a specific example involving the burning of a candle.

When you light a candle, it consists of a wick surrounded by paraffin wax, which is a hydrocarbon. As the candle burns, a chemical reaction takes place between the paraffin wax and oxygen in the air. This reaction generates two primary products: carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Importantly, this process is classified as exothermic because it releases a significant amount of heat energy into the surroundings.

So, in summary, the act of burning a candle is an example of an exothermic change because it involves the exothermic combustion of paraffin wax, resulting in the production of heat, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is an endothermic change, and can you provide an example? Endothermic changes are processes that absorb heat from their surroundings, causing a decrease in the temperature of their immediate environment. An illustrative example of an endothermic change is the melting of ice. When ice cubes undergo this process, they absorb heat energy from their surroundings, causing them to transition from a solid state to a liquid state. This absorption of heat is what makes the surrounding area feel colder during the melting process, as the ice “takes in” heat to facilitate the transformation.