In a chemical reaction, the reactants are substances that undergo the reaction, and the products are substances that are formed during the reaction. The table below shows the reactants and products of several different chemical reactions.

Question

Reactants Products Type of Reaction
4K + O2 2K2O + heat Exothermic
2H2O + heat 2H2 + O2 Endothermic
2CO + O2 2CO2 + heat Exothermic
CaCO3 + heat CaO + CO2 Endothermic

Based on the information given in the above table, the best definition of an endothermic reaction would be
A.
a reaction that has one product.
B.
a reaction that does not require heat.
C.
a reaction that releases heat.
D.
a reaction that absorbs heat.

Answer 1

The best definition of an endothermic reaction based on the information given in the table would be:

D. a reaction that absorbs heat.

Endothermic reactions are characterized by the absorption of heat from the surroundings, which is consistent with the examples provided in the table.