The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction which produces heat. During an exothermic reaction heat flows away from the reactants and into the surrounding environment. If an exothermic reaction is taking place inside a vessel the walls of the vessel take up the heat and feel warm to the touch. Many spontaneously occurring reactions are exothermic.
Methane reacting with oxygen is an example of an exothermic reaction. In this example more energy is produced from the formation of bonds than is required to break the existing bonds, creating an overall surplus of energy. This excess energy is released to the environment surrounding the system as heat. The rusting of iron is an exothermic reaction and this process is used in hand warmers which are utilized in cold regions.
The opposite of an exothermic reaction is an endothermic reaction, in which energy is taken in. Exothermic reactions are more common than endothermic ones.
The enthalpy change in an exothermic reaction is negative. Any burning is an example of an exothermic reaction, so fuels being burned are all exothermic reactions.
Exothermic reactions involve the production of energy which is given to the surrounding environment as heat.