What characterizes an endothermic reaction?

An endothermic reaction is characterized by the absorption of heat from the surroundings. During this type of reaction, the system takes in energy in the form of heat, which is necessary for the reaction to proceed. This energy is usually required to break bonds in the reactants or to overcome activation energy barriers, resulting in a net increase in the internal energy of the system.

As a result, the surroundings may experience a drop in temperature, indicating that heat is being drawn into the reaction process. This is in contrast to exothermic reactions, where heat is released as a product, causing the surroundings to warm up. The concept of energy exchange is fundamental in thermochemistry, as it helps explain how and why reactions either absorb or release energy in the form of heat.