What does exothermic mean?

Exothermic refers to a process or reaction that releases heat to its surroundings. This term is often used in the context of chemical reactions, where the energy released in the form of heat can result in an increase in the temperature of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the concept of removing heat is intrinsically linked to exothermic processes since the system loses heat during the reaction.

In exothermic reactions, the bonds formed typically release more energy than what is required to break the initial bonds, leading to an overall release of energy. This is why exothermic processes are often associated with heating rather than cooling.

Understanding exothermic reactions is crucial in various fields, including chemistry and physics, as well as in practical applications like combustion and biological processes, where heat release can significantly impact overall system behavior.