In an endothermic reaction, what happens to the temperature of the surroundings?

In an endothermic reaction, energy is absorbed from the surroundings in the form of heat. This absorption of heat means that the energy content of the surroundings decreases as it is being used by the reaction to drive its process. Consequently, the temperature of the surroundings decreases because less thermal energy is available.

This contrasts with exothermic reactions, where heat is released into the surroundings, typically causing the surrounding temperature to increase. The endothermic nature of the reaction is characterized by a need for energy input, which directly influences the thermal dynamics of the environment and results in a drop in temperature.

Thus, in an endothermic reaction, the cooling effect on the surroundings is a direct result of the heat energy being absorbed by the system undergoing the reaction.