Deep Dive: Where Does the Energy Go?
Part of Exothermic Reactions — GCSE Chemistry
This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Where Does the Energy Go? within Exothermic Reactions for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Exothermic Reactions in Energy Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 4 of 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 4 of 12
Practice
20 questions
Recall
14 flashcards
🔬 Deep Dive: Where Does the Energy Go?
In exothermic reactions, energy is transferred FROM the reacting chemicals TO the surroundings. This causes the temperature of the surroundings to increase.
Energy in Reactants > Energy in Products
The "extra" energy is released as heat
Common examples of exothermic reactions:
- Combustion — burning fuels (methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + HEAT)
- Neutralisation — acid + alkali reactions always release heat
- Respiration — glucose + oxygen → CO₂ + water + energy (in cells)
- Oxidation — metals reacting with oxygen (rusting releases heat slowly)
- Displacement — reactive metal displacing less reactive one