exotermiske

Exotermiske describes processes that release heat to their surroundings. In thermodynamics, these are chemical or physical changes in which energy is emitted as thermal energy, causing the surroundings to warm up. The term is commonly used to refer to reactions with a negative enthalpy change (ΔH < 0) under the conditions in which they occur.

Common examples include combustion, such as the burning of hydrocarbon fuels, rusting of iron, and various neutralization reactions. Metabolic respiration in living organisms is another example of an exotermisk process, converting chemical energy into heat and work. Some physical processes, like the crystallization of a solution or certain exothermic polymerizations, also release heat.

Exotermiske reactions do not necessarily produce heat at the same rate, and their practical impact depends on the rate of heat release and the ability to remove that heat. If heat is not effectively managed, it can lead to a temperature rise in the system or, in extreme cases, hazardous runaway reactions.

Applications and implications include the design of chemical reactors, where cooling systems and heat exchangers are used to control the temperature, and the use of exothermic processes in heating applications or hand warmers. Understanding exotermiske processes helps in predicting reaction behavior, safety assessments, and energy management in industrial and laboratory settings.

See also: Endotermiske, Thermochemistry, Enthalpy of reaction, Heat transfer.