Chemistry Regents Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

In a chemical reaction, what does the term "exothermic" refer to?

A reaction that absorbs heat

A reaction that releases heat

The term "exothermic" describes a type of chemical reaction that releases heat to the surroundings. During an exothermic reaction, the total energy of the products is lower than the total energy of the reactants, which results in the release of energy, typically in the form of heat. This is why the temperature of the surroundings can increase as the reaction proceeds.

In many everyday processes, such as combustion, respiration, or even the mixing of certain chemicals, exothermic reactions play a critical role. The release of heat can often be felt as an increase in temperature of the reaction vessel or surrounding area. Therefore, identifying an exothermic reaction is important for understanding energy transfer in chemical processes.

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A reaction that requires a catalyst

A reaction that does not change temperature

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