What characterizes an exothermic reaction?

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Study for the Georgia High School Physical Science Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, detailed hints and explanations included. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What characterizes an exothermic reaction?

Explanation:
An exothermic reaction releases energy to the surroundings, usually as heat. Because energy leaves the system, the surrounding environment warms up—you can often feel the heat, and sometimes you’ll even see light or flames. This is the opposite of an endothermic process, where energy is absorbed from the surroundings, making things feel cooler. So the defining feature is heat released to the surroundings, not heat absorption.

An exothermic reaction releases energy to the surroundings, usually as heat. Because energy leaves the system, the surrounding environment warms up—you can often feel the heat, and sometimes you’ll even see light or flames. This is the opposite of an endothermic process, where energy is absorbed from the surroundings, making things feel cooler. So the defining feature is heat released to the surroundings, not heat absorption.

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