What would likely happen if you were to touch a metallic beaker in which an endothermic reaction were occurring?
The beaker would probably feel cooler than before the reaction started.
The beaker would probably feel warmer than before the reaction started.***
The beaker would feel the same as before the reaction started.
None of the above
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To answer this question you need to understand the concept of system vs surroundings and how the terms endothermic and exothermic are related to this and applied to define heat flow associated with a reaction process. The system is always the object of interest (in chemistry, 'the rxn') and is the point of reference for the terms endothermic and exothermic. That is, an endothermic rxn (object of interest) would be removing energy from the surroundings in which you (the observer are a part). This means the reaction would be drawing heat from you (again, the observer) and you would detect a lower/cooler temperature effect. For exothermic reactions the opposite is true. You (the observer) would feel an increase in temperature as the reaction delivered energy into your hand. The ultimate essence of this concept is that the flow of heat is always toward (endothermic) or away from (exothermic) the reaction;i.e., the object of interest.
1 answer