Section 2: Thermochemistry and Chemical Kinetics

1. Energy Changes in Reactions

a) Water freezing into ice: Exothermic. Freezing releases heat as liquid water molecules slow down and
form a more ordered solid structure.

b) Wood burning in a fireplace: Exothermic. Burning wood releases heat and light as the wood reacts
with oxygen in a combustion reaction.

c) Photosynthesis in plants: Endothermic. Photosynthesis requires energy from sunlight to convert

2. Balancing Energy in Chemical Reactions

A reaction that releases 250 kJ of energy is exothermic. In exothermic reactions, energy is released to
the surroundings, resulting in a negative enthalpy change (ΔH < 0).