Exothermic Reaction Definition

What Is an Exothermic Reaction?

Steel wool
The rusting of steel is an example of an exothermic chemical reaction. Pixabay

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that produces heat (has a negative ΔH). In other words, the activation energy needed to initiate the reaction is less than the energy it releases.

Examples of exothermic reactions include neutralization reactions, the Haber process, the thermite reaction, and combustion reactions.

The opposite of an exothermic reaction is an endothermic reaction. Endothermic reactions absorb more heat from their surroundings than they release. Exothermic and endothermic reactions are types of exergonic and endergonic reactions. In exergonic and endergonic reaction, the net energy (whether it be heat, light, or sound) is greater (exergonic) or less (endergonic) than the energy needed for the reaction to proceed.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Exothermic Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-exothermic-reaction-604462. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Exothermic Reaction Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-exothermic-reaction-604462 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Exothermic Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-exothermic-reaction-604462 (accessed March 29, 2024).