If we have to use a match to start a reaction, is it endothermic?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of chemical reactions as endothermic or exothermic, particularly in the context of using a match to initiate a reaction. Participants explore the implications of requiring an initial energy input for reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question whether the need for a match indicates that a reaction is endothermic. There are attempts to clarify definitions of endothermic and exothermic reactions, as well as discussions about activation energy and energy diagrams.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants providing definitions and analogies to clarify concepts. There is recognition that more information is necessary to accurately classify the reaction in question, and the role of activation energy is being examined.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express frustration with the difficulty of the topic, indicating varying levels of understanding among contributors. There is a mention of the need for additional information to reach a conclusion.

Chocolaty
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
If we have to use a match to start a reaction, is it endothermic?

I have searched for the answer in my book, wasted about 3 hours but to no avail. Anyone?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
you really searched for 3 hours? I would have guessed you've never opened the text...really it doesn't get any easier then this.
 
thanks for the "reply". Although that doesn't help me. Maybe it's easy for you but we're not all in the same grade, and you have to remember that, sir.
 
Chocolaty said:
If we have to use a match to start a reaction, is it endothermic?

I have searched for the answer in my book, wasted about 3 hours but to no avail. Anyone?
An endothermic reaction is like pushing a rock up a hill.
An exothermic reaction is like rolling a rock down a hill.
A match is like giving a rock a shove.
Either type of reation may require a start from a match, after that the endothermic reation absorbs energy (often heat), while the exothermic reation releases energy (often heat).
So in short more information is needed to answer the question.
 
Actually, there's slightly more to this problem.

Chocolaty, you'll need to observe a free energy diagram. Most reactions, although exothermic require an energy input to surpass the activation energy barrier, so in short, you can't tell whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic simply by the fact that it proceeded through the input of heat.
 

Similar threads

Chemistry Will this reaction cause an increase or decrease in temperature?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Lab energy available in threshold (endothermic) reactions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Is Reaction A Exothermic in Synthesis of Water?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Chemistry How to determine whether a single reaction is better than multi-stage reaction?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Is this nuclear reaction exothermic or endothermic?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Why does temperature fall in endothermic process in adiabatic system?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Safe Endothermic reactions for skin
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Would this reaction be exothermic or endothermic?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Question About Breaking Bonds in Crystal Lattices
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Striking a match, Endothermic or Exothermic?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K