Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain

 

Answer

A chemical reaction in which a large amount of heat / energy is produced along with the products is called exothermic reaction.

 

During digestion, food is broken down into simpler substances.

Rice, bread, potatoes etc. contain carbohydrates which are broken down into their simple form; glucose.

Glucose combines with the oxygen present in our body and provides energy .

This is known as respiration .

 

Since it involves release of energy along with the products, it is an exothermic process .

 

The chemical reaction involved in respiration is

 

C 6 H 12 O 6 (aq) + 6O 2 (aq) → 6CO 2 (aq) + 6H 2 O(l) + energy 

                                  (Glucose)

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CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo