When lithium iodide (LiI) is dissolved in water, the solution becomes hotter. a. Is the dissolution of lithium iodide endothermic or exothermic?

Key Concepts

Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

Endothermic reactions absorb heat from their surroundings, resulting in a temperature drop in the environment, while exothermic reactions release heat, causing the surroundings to become warmer. Understanding these definitions is crucial for determining the thermal nature of a dissolution process.

Dissolution Process

The dissolution process involves the interaction between solute and solvent molecules, where solute particles are separated and surrounded by solvent molecules. This process can either absorb or release energy, depending on the strength of the interactions formed compared to those broken.

Thermodynamics of Solutions

Thermodynamics in solutions examines how energy changes during the dissolution process. The enthalpy change associated with dissolution can indicate whether the process is endothermic or exothermic, which is essential for predicting temperature changes in the solution.