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A student is collecting data for the reaction of baking soda and vinegar. The initial temperature of the vinegar is 25˚ C and the final temperature of the reaction is 19˚ C. Identify the reaction as endothermic or exothermic and explain what is happening in terms of energy of the systems and the surroundings.

User Didgeridoo
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Answer and Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the temperature change, we can conclude that the reaction of baking soda and vinegar is exothermic. In an exothermic reaction, energy is released from the system to the surroundings in the form of heat, which causes an increase in the temperature of the surroundings.

In this case, the system consists of the baking soda and vinegar, which react to form carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. As the reaction proceeds, energy is released from the system to the surroundings in the form of heat. This heat causes an increase in the temperature of the surroundings, which in this case is the surrounding air and any objects in the vicinity of the reaction.

The decrease in temperature from 25˚C to 19˚C indicates that the reaction released energy to the surroundings, and this energy was absorbed by the air and objects in the vicinity of the reaction. This is why the temperature of the surroundings decreases.

Overall, an exothermic reaction like this involves the conversion of potential energy stored in the reactants into kinetic energy in the form of heat, which is released to the surroundings.

User Karishma Gulati
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