If a beaker of chemicals is warmed using a hot plate, is this an exothermic reaction? I am thinking yes, because the beaker is giving off heat. When you place your hand near it, you can feel the heat through convection. Then again, the liquid is taking in heat to become warmer, and this seems endothermic.
If the chemical/liquid is cooled, is this indeed endothermic? I don't know. I don't think it is taking in heat from the surroundings because it is getting colder, not warmer. It might be exothermic because it is giving off heat in order to become cooler.
I am unsure about the above two situations. Can anyone help me? Thank you.