Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions either release energy to warm you up or absorb energy to cool things down - and understanding this can literally help you ace your exams and understand everyday phenomena!
Exothermic reactions release energy to surroundings, causing temperature increases. You see this in combustion, respiration, and those handy hand warmers on cold days. Endothermic reactions absorb energy from surroundings, making things feel colder - think about instant ice packs used for sports injuries.
Bond energy calculations are simpler than they look. Just remember: Energy In - Energy Out = Energy Change. When you break bonds, you need energy (endothermic), but when you form new bonds, energy is released (exothermic). The overall energy change determines whether the reaction heats things up or cools them down.
Exam Tip: In reaction profiles, exothermic reactions show products lower than reactants on the energy diagram, whilst endothermic reactions show products higher than reactants.
Electrochemical cells work by using two different metals in an electrolyte solution. Simple cells generate electricity through chemical reactions, whilst batteries contain multiple cells connected in series. Hydrogen fuel cells offer clean energy with no pollutants and don't need recharging, but they're highly flammable and tricky to store safely.