Energy and Change

Flashcards defining key terminology and energy relationships for Energy and Change, including heat of reaction, exothermic and endothermic reactions, activation energy, and the activated complex.

Heat of reaction ($\Delta H$)

The energy absorbed or released in a chemical reaction.

Exothermic reactions

Reactions that release energy, where $\Delta H < 0$.

Endothermic reactions

Reactions that absorb energy, where $\Delta H > 0$.

Activation energy

The minimum energy needed for a reaction to take place.

Activated complex

The unstable transition state from reactants to products.