An ice pack is cracked, starting a reaction. The ice pack decreases in temperature as the reaction absorbs heat energy the environment. The temperature of the surroundings decreases as heat is absorbed by the ice pack. Is this process or endothermic? Explain your reasoning in 3 sentences.

Answer 1

The process is endothermic because it absorbs heat energy from the surrounding environment, leading to a decrease in temperature in both the ice pack and its surroundings. In an endothermic reaction, the system (in this case, the ice pack) requires energy input to proceed, which it obtains by drawing heat from its surroundings. This absorption of heat results in a cooling effect, characteristic of endothermic reactions, where heat is taken in rather than released.