Cooling homes with an endothermic reaction

By Neil Goalby2021-11-05T05:30:00

$A colourful micrograph of ammonium nitrate crystals refracting light$

Source: © Karl Gaff/Science Photo Library

Looking at the use of ammonium nitrate in a new and renewable cooling process

Researchers have developed a system that uses endothermic dissolution of a salt in water to cool its immediate surrounding area. Solar energy can then regenerate the solute and means the cyclic system can work without requiring an electricity supply, making it well-suited for users in remote areas.

Find out more and download the starter slide to use with your class and give a new context when studying exothermic and endothermic reactions with your 14–16 students.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.