What are examples of exergonic and endergonic kinds of chemical reactions from everyday life?
exothermic; endothermic
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Exergonic and endergonic reactions are two types of chemical reactions based on their energy changes. Let's explore some examples of these reactions in everyday life:
Exergonic Reactions:
1. Combustion of Fuels: Burning wood or gasoline releases energy in the form of heat and light. The exothermic reaction releases more energy than is required to initiate it.
Equation: Wood + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
2. Cellular Respiration: In our bodies, during the breakdown of glucose, energy is released in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. This process powers various cellular activities.
Equation: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (in the form of ATP)
3. Battery Discharging: When you use a battery-powered device, such as a flashlight, the chemical reaction within the battery transfers energy to the device, allowing it to function.
Equation: Reactants in the battery → Products + Energy
Endergonic Reactions:
1. Photosynthesis: In plants, energy from sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process requires an input of energy.
Equation: Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (from sunlight) → Glucose + Oxygen
2. Protein Synthesis: The process of building proteins from amino acids requires an input of energy. This is essential for many biological functions.
Equation: Amino Acids + Energy → Proteins
3. Cooking Food: The process of cooking food involves endergonic reactions, as energy is needed to break down complex molecules and make them more digestible. For example, the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars during cooking.
Equation: Complex Molecules + Energy → Simpler Molecules
These examples illustrate the concept of exergonic (energy-releasing) and endergonic (energy-absorbing) reactions in everyday life.
Exergonic and endergonic reactions are two types of chemical reactions based on the energy changes that occur during the reactions.
Exergonic reactions release energy, whereas endergonic reactions require energy input. Let's look at some examples of both types from everyday life:
1. Exergonic reaction: Combustion
- Combustion reactions involve the burning of a substance, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light.
- For example, when you burn a piece of paper or wood, the reaction releases heat and light energy as the carbon-based materials react with oxygen in the air.
2. Exergonic reaction: Cellular Respiration
- Cellular respiration is a vital metabolic process in living organisms that converts food (glucose) into energy (ATP) for cellular functions.
- During this exergonic reaction, glucose is oxidized into carbon dioxide and water, and energy is released in the form of ATP.
- This reaction provides energy for various biological processes in our body.
3. Endergonic reaction: Photosynthesis
- Photosynthesis is a crucial process in plants and some microorganisms that converts light energy into chemical energy.
- In this endergonic reaction, plants absorb energy from sunlight, along with carbon dioxide and water, to produce glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct.
- This reaction requires an input of energy (light) to synthesize glucose molecules.
4. Endergonic reaction: Protein synthesis
- Protein synthesis is the process by which cells build proteins using information encoded in DNA.
- This endergonic reaction requires energy input in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to link amino acids together and form proteins.
- Protein synthesis is essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of cells and tissues in living organisms.
To summarize, exergonic reactions release energy, such as combustion and cellular respiration, while endergonic reactions require energy input, such as photosynthesis and protein synthesis. These examples illustrate how energy is involved in various everyday chemical processes.