exoterma
Exoterma is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts, primarily in the fields of chemistry and thermodynamics. In chemistry, "exoterma" is a misspelling or less common variation of "exothermic." An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, typically in the form of heat. This energy is released because the reactants have a higher chemical potential energy than the products. The heat generated by an exothermic reaction causes the temperature of the surroundings to rise. Examples of exothermic reactions include combustion, the reaction of strong acids with bases, and the setting of concrete. In contrast, an endothermic reaction absorbs energy from its surroundings, causing the temperature to decrease.
In a broader thermodynamic context, "exoterma" might be informally used to describe a system or process that