The correct answer is a) endothermic.
In thermodynamics, a process that absorbs heat from its surroundings is referred to as endothermic. This means that energy is taken in during the reaction or phase change, resulting in a decrease in temperature of the surrounding environment. For example, when ice melts into water, it absorbs heat, making the process endothermic. On the other hand, an exothermic process releases heat, leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings. Therefore, the distinction between these terms is crucial for understanding various chemical and physical processes.