This activity aims to show that when physical and chemical reactions occur, energy changes are associated with them. Experiments engage students to recognise whether a reaction is chemical or physical and also to recognise whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic from temperature graph data.

This item teaches:

• the definition of an exothermic reaction
• the determination of the energy change in a chemical reaction by measuring the temperature change of the reaction in an insulated container
• the distinction between chemical and physical changes
• the definition of an endothermic reaction