Eksoteerinen

Eksoteerinen refers to a characteristic of a chemical reaction where energy is released into the surroundings, typically in the form of heat. This is in contrast to endothermic reactions, which absorb energy from their surroundings. Exothermic reactions are common and can be observed in everyday phenomena. The net change in enthalpy for an exothermic reaction is negative, indicating that the products have lower energy than the reactants. This energy release drives the reaction forward.

Combustion is a classic example of an exothermic process. When a fuel like wood or natural gas burns, it reacts with oxygen, releasing significant amounts of heat and light. Another common example is the neutralization of a strong acid with a strong base, which also produces heat. Chemical batteries rely on exothermic reactions to generate electrical energy. The heat generated by these reactions can be beneficial, such as in hand warmers, or potentially dangerous if not properly managed. The term "exothermic" is derived from Greek words meaning "out" and "heat."