Question

The decomposition of vegetable matter into compost is said to be exotherimic in nature...but all decomposition reactions involve the absortion of enegry ; i.e. they are endothermic.

Can a particular reaction be both exothermic and endothermic ???

Answer 1

In an decomposition reaction, energy is usually absorbed and they are termed as endothermic reaction, But in the casw of decomposition of vegetable matter, when microbes reacts on animal or plant waste, a lot of energy is given out which leads to the release of gases thus terming the reaction as exothermic reaction . In other decomposition reaction energy is absorbed to break down the bonds between the substances, but as microbes acts for decomposition of vegetable matter it becomes exothermic

Answer 2

According to the circumstances mentioned in the question that,

The decomposition of vegetable matter into compost is said to be exotherimic in nature...but all decomposition reactions involve the absortion of enegry ; i.e. they are endothermic.

Yes,this phenomenon is completely true.

Because,in the case of vegetable decomposition the decomposition process is performed by various microbes and bacterias which releases various gases in the external environment.

That's why it is an exothermic reaction.