An endothermic process is one that absorbs heat from its surroundings. This means that when a substance undergoes an endothermic reaction, it takes in energy, often resulting in a temperature drop in the environment. Common examples include the melting of ice and the evaporation of water, where energy is required to change the state of the substance. In chemistry, endothermic reactions are often represented by a positive change in enthalpy (ΔH). These reactions are crucial in various natural processes, such as photosynthesis in plants, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.