exothermic reaction
Warmth-emitting chemical change
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, usually as heat.
Combustion is the classic example—burning fuel produces warmth.
The opposite is an endothermic reaction, which absorbs energy.
The exothermic reaction made the test tube hot to the touch.
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- fire starterCombustion initiator
- hand warmersPortable devices warming fingers
- hot packWarmed therapeutic compress
heat · flame · neutralization · oxidation · rusting · fire · enthalpy · bond energy · spark · gives off heat · heat transfer · thermite · crystallization · nuclear fusion · calorimetry · fireworks · thermodynamics · explosion
heat transfer direction
exothermic reactionendothermic reaction
Process absorbing thermal energy
endothermic · heat absorption · photosynthesis · electrolysis · melting