What happens in an exothermic reaction?

Study for the Biology Marking Period 2 Test. Ace your exam with our comprehensive review featuring flashcards and multiple choice questions, all with detailed hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly and succeed.

Multiple Choice

What happens in an exothermic reaction?

Explanation:
In an exothermic reaction, energy is released to the surroundings as heat, so the surroundings get warmer. The system loses energy overall, meaning bonds forming release more energy than is used to break bonds. That released energy shows up as heat you can feel in the environment, like when a flame or a chemical reaction warms the air or a container. If the surroundings got colder, or if heat were absorbed by the surroundings, that would be an endothermic process. If there were no change in temperature, there would be no heat exchange with the surroundings.

In an exothermic reaction, energy is released to the surroundings as heat, so the surroundings get warmer. The system loses energy overall, meaning bonds forming release more energy than is used to break bonds. That released energy shows up as heat you can feel in the environment, like when a flame or a chemical reaction warms the air or a container.

If the surroundings got colder, or if heat were absorbed by the surroundings, that would be an endothermic process. If there were no change in temperature, there would be no heat exchange with the surroundings.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy