A substance is dissolved in water, and the temperature of the surroundings decreases. Is this process exothermic or endothermic? Explain your reasoning in 3-4 sentences.

Answer 1

This process is endothermic. When a substance dissolves in water, energy is required to break the bonds between the particles of the substance. As the temperature of the surroundings decreases, it implies that energy is being absorbed from the surroundings to break these bonds and dissolve the substance. Consequently, the process is endothermic as it requires an input of energy.