Lesson T6.1.2

T6.1.2 Exothermic and endothermic reactions Quiz: KS3 Chemistry, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T6.1.2, Exothermic and endothermic reactions: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Chemistry (National Curriculum), Unit 6: Energetics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is an exothermic reaction?

    • A reaction that only happens in the dark
    • A reaction that produces no energy change
    • A reaction that releases energy to the surroundings
    • A reaction that takes in energy from the surroundings

  2. What is an endothermic reaction?

    • A reaction that keeps the energy of the surroundings unchanged
    • A reaction that only forms a gas, with no heat or light at all
    • A reaction that releases energy to the surroundings, making them warmer
    • A reaction that takes in energy from the surroundings

  3. Which of these is an example of an exothermic reaction?

    • Burning methane in a gas flame
    • Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
    • Photosynthesis in a green leaf
    • Dissolving ammonium nitrate in water

  4. Which of these is an example of an endothermic reaction?

    • Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
    • Burning magnesium ribbon brightly in a flame of air
    • Neutralising a strong acid with an alkali solution in water
    • Respiration inside living cells to release energy from glucose

  5. What happens to the temperature of the surroundings during an exothermic reaction?

    • It drops to absolute zero
    • It falls
    • It stays exactly the same
    • It rises

  6. A chemical hand warmer heats up when activated. What type of reaction is it?

    • Exothermic
    • Thermal decomposition
    • Endothermic
    • Neutral

  7. An instant cold pack gets cold when activated. What type of reaction is taking place?

    • Endothermic
    • Combustion
    • Neutralisation
    • Exothermic

  8. A reaction in a test tube makes the mixture feel colder to the touch. Which conclusion is best?

    • The reaction produced a gas that cooled the tube as it escaped
    • The reaction is exothermic, giving energy to the surroundings
    • The reaction stopped because the tube was too hot to continue
    • The reaction is endothermic, taking in energy from the surroundings

  9. How does the energy change in a neutralisation reaction?

    • It is only endothermic when a metal is present
    • It is neither exothermic nor endothermic
    • It is exothermic, so the mixture warms up
    • It is endothermic, so the mixture cools down

  10. Which energy change occurs during respiration in living cells?

    • Energy is released, so the reaction is exothermic
    • Energy is only stored, not released
    • No energy is transferred at all
    • Energy is absorbed, so the reaction is endothermic

  11. Which is the main energy change during photosynthesis?

    • Energy is stored as the leaf's temperature rising over time
    • Energy is released as heat to the leaf, making it exothermic
    • Energy is taken in from light, making it endothermic
    • Energy is cancelled out in the reaction by the leaf

  12. Which statement is correct about the energy of reactants and products in an exothermic reaction?

    • The products have more energy than the reactants
    • The products have less energy than the reactants
    • The products and reactants have exactly equal energy overall
    • The products have no energy at all after the reaction

  13. Which reaction is most likely to make its surroundings feel warmer?

    • Dissolving ammonium chloride in water
    • Combustion of a fuel in air
    • Melting ice on a sunny day
    • Thermal decomposition of limestone

  14. A student heats copper carbonate strongly and it breaks down. Which statement is correct?

    • The reaction is exothermic because energy is released when heated
    • The reaction is neither because heating does not affect energy
    • The reaction is endothermic because energy is needed to break it down
    • The reaction is exothermic because copper oxide forms a hot gas that escapes

  15. Which everyday change is exothermic?

    • Lighting a candle
    • Dissolving sugar in water
    • Evaporating water from a wet cloth
    • Melting ice cubes in a drink

  16. Which of these changes is endothermic?

    • Rusting of an iron nail left in damp air for weeks
    • Burning a match to light a fire
    • Heating limestone strongly in a kiln to make quicklime
    • Neutralising hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide solution

  17. Which statement compares exothermic and endothermic reactions?

    • Exothermic reactions make the surroundings cooler, while endothermic reactions make them warmer
    • Both types of reaction leave the surroundings at exactly the same temperature every time
    • Endothermic reactions only happen in metals that are mixed with an acid
    • Exothermic reactions make the surroundings warmer, while endothermic reactions make them cooler

  18. Which sentence best explains why an endothermic reaction feels cold?

    • It removes all particles from the surroundings, so they cool
    • It takes in energy from the surroundings, so they lose heat
    • It produces ice as a product, so the mixture feels colder
    • It gives energy to the surroundings, so they gain heat

  19. Which statement about a reaction whose mixture gets hotter is correct?

    • It always produces a gas as a product
    • It is neither, because temperature does not change
    • It is exothermic, releasing energy to the surroundings
    • It is endothermic, absorbing energy from the surroundings

  20. A reaction raises the temperature of 100 g of water from 20 °C to 30 °C. What type of reaction is it?

    • Endothermic, because the water lost energy to the reaction
    • Endothermic, because the reaction gained energy from the water
    • Neither, because a 10 °C change is too small
    • Exothermic, because the water gained energy from the reaction

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