Chapter 20, Problem 8TE

Why is heat often added to chemical reactions performed in the laboratory?

To determine

The reason why heat is added in chemical reactions performed in the laboratory.

Answer to Problem 8TE

The endothermic reaction shows the requirement of energy source and thus heat is provided usually in the reactions taking place in the laboratory.

Explanation of Solution

The process of the conversion of reactant species into the product species is called a chemical reaction.

There are two main types of chemical reactions based on the exchange of energy.

The chemical reaction where the energy is absorbed in the system from the external area or the surrounding is the endothermic type of reaction.

The chemical reaction where the energy is released to the surrounding from the area of interest or the system is the exothermic type of reaction.

As the exothermic reactions are showing the release of energy from the reaction system to the surrounding and thus generally exothermic reaction are natural in nature.

In turn, the endothermic reaction shows the requirement of energy for the reaction to complete. So for endothermic reaction to proceed, the energy input is required and due to this, the endothermic reaction does not take place naturally in the environment on its own.

Hence, the endothermic reactions are taken place in the laboratory by the input of the high amount of energy.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the endothermic reaction shows the requirement of energy source and thus heat is provided usually in the reactions taking place in the laboratory.