Final answer:
An endothermic process is one that absorbs energy from its surroundings, resulting in an increase in the free energy of the system.
Step-by-step explanation:
An endothermic process is one that absorbs energy from its surroundings, resulting in an increase in the free energy of the system. This can occur through processes like the absorption of heat or light.
For example, when water molecules absorb energy from the sun, they undergo an endothermic process, which increases their free energy level.
Other examples of endothermic processes in chemistry include the dissolution of certain salts in water and the process of photosynthesis in plants.