Learning objective

Recognize that breaking bonds is an endothermic process while forming bonds is an exothermic process.

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Cambridge IGCSE Combined ScienceChemical energeticsSupplement content

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Recognize that breaking bonds is an endothermic process while forming bonds is an exothermic process

This point belongs to Exothermic and endothermic reactions, especially Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes.
You need to be able to recognize that breaking bonds is an endothermic process while forming bonds is an exothermic process.
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This objective helps connect Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Exothermic and endothermic reactions.

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Paper 4 structured question: Exothermic and endothermic reactions

Paper 4Theory (Extended)2 marks

Description

Energy Changes in Reactions

In chemical reactions, bonds are broken and formed, leading to energy changes.

a
Explain the difference between endothermic and exothermic processes in terms of energy changes.
Your answer
Aim for approximately 2 distinct marking points.
[2]

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Explain that an exothermic reaction releases thermal energy to the environment, resulting in a rise in the surrounding temperature.
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Explain that an endothermic reaction absorbs thermal energy from the environment, causing a drop in the surrounding temperature.
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Analyze reaction pathway diagrams that illustrate both exothermic and endothermic reactions.
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Define activation energy as the minimum energy required for colliding particles to initiate a reaction.
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Create and label reaction pathway diagrams for exothermic and endothermic reactions, including reactants, products, overall energy change, and activation energy.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes

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