Which of the following is a characteristic of an endothermic reaction?

An endothermic reaction is characterized by its ability to absorb heat from the surroundings. This absorption of heat results in a decrease in the temperature of the surrounding environment, which can often be measured. In these reactions, the energy needed to break bonds in the reactants is greater than the energy released when new bonds are formed in the products, leading to a net absorption of heat.

For instance, when ammonium nitrate dissolves in water, the reaction absorbs heat, resulting in a cooler solution. Similarly, photosynthesis is a natural endothermic process, where plants absorb light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Thus, the key defining feature of endothermic reactions is their thermal energy requirement, leading to the conclusion that they absorb heat.