Eksotermisessä

Eksotermisessä is a Finnish term that translates to "exothermic" in English. It describes a chemical reaction or process that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, light, or sound. In an exothermic reaction, the total energy of the products is lower than the total energy of the reactants. This energy difference is released into the surroundings.

Common examples of exothermic reactions include the combustion of fuels like wood or natural gas, where heat and light are visibly produced. Neutralization reactions between acids and bases also often release heat. The opposite of an exothermic process is an endothermic process, which absorbs energy from the surroundings.

The concept of exothermic processes is fundamental in chemistry and physics. Understanding whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic is crucial for predicting its behavior, controlling reaction rates, and designing chemical processes. For instance, in industrial applications, exothermic reactions may require cooling systems to prevent overheating, while endothermic reactions might need a continuous energy supply to proceed. The energy released or absorbed in a chemical reaction is quantified by its enthalpy change, where a negative enthalpy change (ΔH < 0) indicates an exothermic process.