Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions
I can identify whether a chemical reaction is exothermic or endothermic and explain how I know.
Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions
I can identify whether a chemical reaction is exothermic or endothermic and explain how I know.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An exothermic chemical reaction causes an increase in temperature (of the surroundings).
- An endothermic chemical reaction causes a decrease in temperature (of the surroundings).
- An exothermic reaction transfers energy from the reactants to the surroundings.
- An endothermic reaction transfers energy from the surroundings to the products.
Keywords
Exothermic chemical reaction - is a type of reaction in which energy is transferred from the reactants to the surroundings, e.g. combustion.
Endothermic chemical reaction - is a type of reaction in which energy from the surroundings is transferred to the products, e.g. photosynthesis.
Dissipate - Thermal energy can dissipate which means it can be transferred to the environment and wasted.
Common misconception
The difference between the surroundings (where the reaction takes place, e.g. solution) and the environment (where the reaction mixture is, e.g. classroom). The existence of cold.
Use the separate terms of surroundings and environment throughout the lesson. Explain that thermal energy transfer only takes place from somewhere that is warmer and somewhere that is cooler.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Fuels and energetics unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Supervision
Adult supervision required
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
substance present at the start of a chemical reaction
substance made during a chemical reaction
when chemical bonds are broken and new substances are formed
a reversible process that does not involve breaking chemical bonds
Exit quiz
6 Questions
energy is transferred from the reactants to the surroundings
energy from the surroundings is transferred to the products
energy is transferred (and lost) as 'heat' to the environment