Separate out exothermic and endothermic process from the following:
When iron fillings are added to a solution of copper sulphate, heat is liberated.
Energy changes during a reaction
There is always a change in energy between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction due to the formation or breaking of chemical bonds.
If the energy of the reactant is higher than the products, the conversion causes the production of excess energy in the system. This excess energy is liberated in the form of heat from the system, and these reactions are called exothermic reactions.
If the energy of the reactant is lower than the products, the formation of products requires extra energy, which is absorbed by the reactants from the surrounding in the form of heat. These reactions, which involve absorption of heat, are called endothermic reactions.
Addition of iron fillings to copper sulphate solution
When iron fillings are added to an aqueous solution of copper sulphate , iron displaces copper from the solution to form ferrous sulphate . Copper is deposited in its elemental form. This reaction is an example of a displacement reaction in which a more reactive metal displaces a lesser reactive metal from its salt solution. The equation for the reaction is:
Since heat is liberated during this reaction, the energy of the products is lower than the energy of the reactants.
Therefore, it is an exothermic process.