Skip to main content

What triggers a chemical reaction? - Kareem Jarrah

853,890 Views

34,027 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Chemicals are in everything we see, and the reactions between them can look like anything from rust on a spoon to an explosion on your stovetop. But why do these reactions happen in the first place? Kareem Jarrah answers this question by examining the two underlying forces that drive both endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions: enthalpy and entropy.

WatchThink 4 Multiple Choice &
3 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
9 Open Discussions
The chemicals you begin a reaction with are called the _____ and the chemicals you have at the end of a reaction are called the _____.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kareem Jarrah
  • Director Darcy Vorhees
  • Animator Tom Beuerlein
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Actions and Reactions