Determine whether each process is endothermic or exothermic.

A fire( the system is the fire)
A car engine ( the system is the engine)
A melting ice sculpture ( the ice is the system)

1 answer

To determine whether each process is endothermic or exothermic, we look at whether the system absorbs or releases heat.

  1. A fire (the system is the fire):

    • Exothermic: A fire releases heat into the surroundings as a result of combustion. Therefore, it is considered an exothermic process.
  2. A car engine (the system is the engine):

    • Exothermic: A car engine burns fuel which generates heat as a byproduct of combustion. This heat is released into the environment, making the process exothermic.
  3. A melting ice sculpture (the ice is the system):

    • Endothermic: When ice melts, it absorbs heat from its surroundings to change from solid to liquid. Therefore, the melting of the ice sculpture is an endothermic process.

In summary:

  • Fire: Exothermic
  • Car engine: Exothermic
  • Melting ice sculpture: Endothermic