Is delta H negative indicative of an exothermic or endothermic reaction?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether a negative change in enthalpy (delta H) indicates an exothermic or endothermic reaction. Exothermic reactions release heat, while endothermic reactions absorb heat. Therefore, a negative delta H signifies that the reaction is exothermic.
Answer
exothermic
The final answer is exothermic
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is exothermic
More Information
In a chemical reaction, a negative ΔH indicates that the reaction releases heat to the surroundings, making it exothermic. Conversely, a positive ΔH means the system absorbs heat, indicating an endothermic reaction.
Sources
- Enthalpy and Chemical Reactions - Introduction to Chemistry - opentextbc.ca
- Endothermic v. Exothermic - CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY - lavelle.chem.ucla.edu
- Exothermic vs. Endothermic and K - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org