Exothermic
Exothermic refers to a process or reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. It is the opposite of an endothermic process, which absorbs heat from the surroundings.
Overview[edit | edit source]
In an exothermic reaction, the energy needed to start the reaction is less than the energy that is subsequently released, so there is a net release of energy. This can be represented in a chemical equation as:
Reactants → Products + Energy
This energy is usually in the form of heat, but it can also be in the form of light, electricity, or sound.
Examples of Exothermic Reactions[edit | edit source]
Some common examples of exothermic reactions include:
- Combustion reactions, such as the burning of coal, wood, or natural gas
- Neutralization reactions, where an acid and a base react to form water and a salt
- The reaction between water and calcium oxide, which produces calcium hydroxide and releases a large amount of heat
- The process of respiration in living organisms, where glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and energy
Applications of Exothermic Reactions[edit | edit source]
Exothermic reactions have many practical applications. They are used in:
- Heat packs: These contain a supersaturated solution of a salt such as sodium acetate. When the solution is disturbed, it triggers an exothermic reaction that releases heat.
- Self-heating cans: These use an exothermic reaction between quicklime (calcium oxide) and water to heat up the contents of the can.
- Fireworks: The colors in fireworks are produced by exothermic reactions of different metal salts.
- Power plants: Many power plants, including coal and natural gas plants, rely on exothermic reactions to produce heat that is then converted into electricity.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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