Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. During an exothermic reaction, the products have less energy than the reactants, resulting in a net release of heat.
Related terms
Endothermic Reaction: A chemical reaction that absorbs heat energy from its surroundings.
Activation Energy: The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.
Thermodynamics: The study of energy transformations in physical and chemical systems.