Which term means a process that absorbs heat?

Which term means a process that absorbs heat?

• A. Exothermic
• B. Catalyst
• C. Endothermic
• D. Energy diagram

Answer: (C)

When a process takes in heat from its surroundings, the energy flow goes from the surroundings into the system. That behavior is described by the term endothermic. In an endothermic process, the products end up with more energy than the reactants, so energy must be absorbed to proceed. On an energy diagram, you’d see the energy of the products higher than the reactants, reflecting the positive energy input required. A practical consequence is that the surroundings may feel cooler as heat moves into the system. The other terms don’t describe heat absorption: exothermic means heat is released to the surroundings; a catalyst speeds up the reaction without changing whether heat is absorbed or released; an energy diagram is a chart of energy changes, not a term for a heat-flow direction.

When a process takes in heat from its surroundings, the energy flow goes from the surroundings into the system. That behavior is described by the term endothermic. In an endothermic process, the products end up with more energy than the reactants, so energy must be absorbed to proceed. On an energy diagram, you’d see the energy of the products higher than the reactants, reflecting the positive energy input required. A practical consequence is that the surroundings may feel cooler as heat moves into the system.

The other terms don’t describe heat absorption: exothermic means heat is released to the surroundings; a catalyst speeds up the reaction without changing whether heat is absorbed or released; an energy diagram is a chart of energy changes, not a term for a heat-flow direction.