An endothermic process is characterized by:

An endothermic process is characterized by:

• A. Creating energy
• B. Releasing energy
• C. Requiring energy
• D. Absorbing energy

Answer: (D)

Endothermic processes involve energy flowing from the surroundings into the system, so the system gains energy. Because of that, the defining description is absorbing energy. Examples like melting ice, evaporation, and photosynthesis illustrate energy being taken in from the surroundings. The other ideas describe different things: releasing energy would be exothermic, creating energy isn’t how these processes work, and while energy input is required, the key feature here is the uptake of energy—absorbing energy.

Endothermic processes involve energy flowing from the surroundings into the system, so the system gains energy. Because of that, the defining description is absorbing energy. Examples like melting ice, evaporation, and photosynthesis illustrate energy being taken in from the surroundings. The other ideas describe different things: releasing energy would be exothermic, creating energy isn’t how these processes work, and while energy input is required, the key feature here is the uptake of energy—absorbing energy.