This topic explains the difference between Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions. There are a number of chemical reactions in Chemistry and they are divided into many sub and main reactions. Similar is the case with the endothermic and exothermic reactions in Chemistry. These release energy in the form of sound, light, cold or heat.

In simple terms, the endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surrounding that is in the form of heat. On the other hand, an exothermic reaction releases energy into the surrounding of the system.

A popular example of an endothermic chemical reaction is photosynthesis. During this process, plants absorb energy from the Sun and convert it into carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. An example of an exothermic reaction is the chemical reaction between sodium and chlorine, which results in the formation of sodium chloride (also known as common salt).

Endothermic and Exothermic

Endothermic Reactions

The endothermic process is a term that describes a reaction where the system absorbs the energy from its surrounding in the form of heat. Few examples of the endothermic process are photosynthesis, evaporating liquids, melting ice, dry ice, alkanes cracking, thermal decomposition, ammonium chloride in water and much more.

Exothermic Reactions

The exothermic reaction is the opposite of an endothermic reaction. It releases energy by light or heat to its surrounding. Few examples are neutralization, burning a substance, reactions of fuels, deposition of dry ice, respiration, solution of sulfuric acid into water and much more.

Difference Between Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

Endothermic Reaction	Exothermic Reaction
A reaction that the system absorbs energy from its surrounding in the form of heat.	A reaction that releases energy from the system in the form of heat.
The energy is absorbed from the surround into the reaction	The energy is released from the system to its environment.
Energy in the form of heat	Energy is released as heat, electricity, light or sound.
Melting ice, evaporation, cooking, gas molecules, photosynthesis are few examples	Rusting iron, settling, chemical bonds, explosions, nuclear fission are a few examples.