Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is a characteristic feature of exothermic reactions?

1. They produce heat

2. They absorb heat

3. They release gas

4. They have no temperature change

The correct answer is: They produce heat

In exothermic reactions, a characteristic feature is that they produce heat. This means that during the reaction, energy is released into the surroundings, often causing the temperature of the surrounding environment to increase. This release of energy typically happens because the total energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants, resulting in excess energy being emitted, typically in the form of heat. Understanding this concept is crucial as it differentiates exothermic reactions from endothermic ones, which take in heat and thus lower the temperature of their surroundings. Other features, like the release of gas or no temperature change, may happen in certain specific reactions but are not defining characteristics of exothermic reactions specifically.