Endothermic reactions absorb heat from their surroundings and have a positive change in enthalpy, while exothermic reactions release heat to their surroundings and have a negative change in enthalpy.
Example of an endothermic reaction: the reaction between ammonium nitrate and water to form a cold pack is an endothermic reaction as it absorbs heat from the surroundings to dissolve the ammonium nitrate.
Example of an exothermic reaction: the combustion of methane gas is an exothermic reaction as it releases heat as methane reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
1. How do endothermic reactions differ from exothermic reactions? List an example of each.
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