What occurs as potassium nitrate is dissolved in a beaker of water, indicating that the process is endothermic?
A. The solution changes color.
B. The solution gives off a gas.
C. The temperature of the solution increases.
D. The temperature of the solution decreases.
Endothermic reactions cause heat to be absorbed. The potassium nitrate needs heat to dissolve. It takes this heat energy from the water. As the water loses heat energy, the temperature of the water decreases. Note: an exothermic reaction would do the opposite: the temperature would rise as heat was given off.