reaktioenergiaan

Reaktioenergiaan is a Finnish term that translates to "reaction energy" in English. It refers to the net energy change that occurs during a chemical reaction. This energy change can be either released or absorbed by the system.

When a reaction releases energy into the surroundings, it is called an exothermic reaction. The products of an exothermic reaction have lower energy than the reactants, and the difference is released, often as heat or light. Conversely, when a reaction absorbs energy from the surroundings, it is called an endothermic reaction. In endothermic reactions, the products have higher energy than the reactants, and this energy must be supplied for the reaction to proceed.

The concept of reaction energy is fundamental in thermodynamics and is closely related to enthalpy. Enthalpy change, often denoted as ΔH, is a common way to quantify reaction energy. A negative ΔH indicates an exothermic reaction, while a positive ΔH signifies an endothermic reaction. Understanding reaction energy is crucial for predicting the spontaneity of a reaction, designing chemical processes, and controlling energy transformations in various fields, from industrial chemistry to biological systems.