14.1.1

Energy Conservation

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Energy Transfer/Conservation

In chemical reactions, energy is not created or destroyed. It is conserved (saved) and transferred between objects. Chemical reactions are exothermic or endothermic, depending on the energy transfers that happen:

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Exothermic reactions

  • Energy from the reacting chemicals is transferred to the surroundings, which often increase in temperature as a result. Examples include:
    • Combustion.
    • Neutralisation.
    • Oxidation.
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Endothermic reactions

  • Energy from the surroundings is transferred to the reacting chemicals, causing the temperature of the surroundings to decrease. Examples include:
    • Thermal decomposition.
    • The reaction that happens when citric acid is combined with sodium hydrogen carbonate (sodium bicarbonate).

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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