Question

When steam condenses, is heat absorbed (endothermic) or released (exothermic)?

When water freezes, is heat absorbed or released? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

When steam condense heat is released (exothermic). This is because when steam condense to form water than Water molecules in the vapor phase are far apart from one another and come closer together during condensation. That lowers the potential energy of the water molecules.since total energy is sum of kinetic energy and potential energy but kinetic energy remain same and potential energy is lowered by releasing heat energy.

When water is freezes heat is released (exothermic). When water start freezing it loss energy to surrounding by losing energy it move slowly, and come closely and than form solid form ice. So heat is released in this process hence exothermic reaction.