Endothermic

Endothermic refers to a process or reaction that absorbs energy in the form of heat. Its etymology stems from the Greek words "endo-" meaning inside and "therm" meaning heat. Endothermic processes are integral to numerous scientific disciplines, including chemistry, physics, and biology.

Chemistry

In chemistry, an endothermic process absorbs heat energy from its surroundings. This is often observed in reactions where a substance is being transformed into a different state of matter, such as melting ice or evaporating water. The energy required for these transformations is absorbed from the surrounding environment, causing it to cool.

Physics

In physics, endothermic processes are often associated with changes in a system's internal energy. For example, when a gas expands, it does so by absorbing heat energy from its surroundings. This is an endothermic process because the system (the gas) is taking in energy.

Biology

In biology, endothermic organisms, such as mammals and birds, maintain their body temperature by producing heat metabolically. This is in contrast to ectothermic organisms, like reptiles, which rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.

Endothermic vs. Exothermic

Endothermic processes are the opposite of exothermic processes, which release energy in the form of heat. While endothermic reactions require an input of energy, exothermic reactions release energy, often producing heat as a byproduct.

Examples of Endothermic Processes

Some common examples of endothermic processes include:

• Photosynthesis: Plants absorb sunlight (energy) to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
• Evaporation: Liquid water absorbs heat from its surroundings to become water vapor.
• Melting: Solid substances absorb heat to become liquids.

See Also

• Exothermic
• Thermodynamics
• Heat Transfer
• Energy

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