What are examples of exergonic and endergonic kinds of chemical reactions from everyday life?
Exergonic and endergonic reactions are terms used to describe the energy changes in chemical reactions.
An exergonic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light. An example of an exergonic reaction from everyday life is the combustion (burning) of gasoline in a car's engine. The reaction between gasoline and oxygen releases energy in the form of heat, which is used to move the car. Another example is the breakdown of glucose during cellular respiration, where energy is released to fuel various cellular processes.
On the other hand, an endergonic reaction is a chemical reaction that requires an input of energy to proceed. Photosynthesis is an example of an endergonic reaction. During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, but this process requires energy from sunlight to occur. The energy absorbed from sunlight is used to drive the reaction forward, storing energy in the glucose molecules.
To find these examples, you can observe everyday phenomena, such as the burning of fuel in cars or the process of photosynthesis in plants. It is important to note that these examples are simplified, and the reactions actually involve numerous intermediate steps and complex chemical processes.