What are exothermic reactions?

Exothermic reactions are chemical reactions that release energy in the form of heat. In these reactions, the products have less energy than the reactants, and the excess energy is released into the surrounding environment.

Examples of exothermic reactions:

• Combustion of fuels such as wood, gasoline, or natural gas
• Respiration, where energy is released from the breakdown of glucose in our bodies
• Oxidation reactions, such as rusting of iron
• Neutralization reactions, such as the reaction between an acid and a base

Characteristics of exothermic reactions:

• Release of heat
• Temperature increase in the surroundings
• Negative change in enthalpy (∆H) for the reaction
• Examples include many combustion reactions and some neutralization reactions

Importance of exothermic reactions:

Exothermic reactions are important in our daily lives and industrial processes. They are used in energy production, such as in the combustion of fuels for heating and power generation. They also play a key role in biological processes, such as respiration, where energy is released to power cellular activities.

Endothermic vs. exothermic reactions:

It's important to note that exothermic reactions are the opposite of endothermic reactions. Endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings, causing a decrease in temperature. Exothermic reactions release energy into the surroundings, causing a temperature increase.