Exothermic reactions

Exothermic reactions are chemical processes that release energy, usually in the form of heat or light, into their surroundings. This means that during the reaction, the total energy of the products is less than that of the reactants. A common example is combustion, such as burning wood or gasoline, which releases warmth and light. Because they give off energy, exothermic reactions can raise the temperature of the environment around them, making them important in various applications, from heating systems to propulsion in engines.