What is characteristic of an endothermic process?

An endothermic process is characterized by the absorption of energy from the surroundings. In a chemical reaction or physical change classified as endothermic, the system takes in heat, which leads to a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings, as energy is required to break bonds or to overcome intermolecular forces. This is crucial in understanding phenomena such as melting, vaporization, and certain chemical reactions that consume energy and do not proceed spontaneously without an external energy input.

The absorption of energy often leads to changes in the state of matter, such as ice melting into water or water boiling into steam. Since energy is absorbed during these processes, the internal energy of the system increases, which is a defining feature of endothermic reactions.