endothermic vs exothermic

Question

Which change is typically endothermic?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Endothermic Process**: A process that absorbs heat from the surroundings ($\Delta H > 0$).
2. **Salts**: The dissolution of Ammonium Nitrate ($NH_4NO_3$) in water absorbs significant heat due to the lattice energy overcoming the hydration energy inefficiently.
3. **Application**: This is why $NH_4NO_3$ is used in instant cold packs.
4. **Exothermic checks**:
   - **Combustion**: Burning fuel always releases heat.
   - **Water formation**: Highly explosive and exothermic.
   - **Neutralization**: Mixing acid and base always gets warm because bonds are forming ($H^+ + OH^- 	o H_2O$).

Rank Guru

endothermic vs exothermic

Select the correct option: