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Farside
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what is the origin of the engery liberated in an exothermic reaction? I've been hitting the books for this but can't find it. Seems simple enough though. I just need to be sure.
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases heat and energy as a byproduct. This means that the overall energy of the reactants is higher than the energy of the products, resulting in a release of energy into the surrounding environment.
Some common examples of exothermic reactions include combustion reactions (such as burning wood or gasoline), oxidation reactions (such as rusting), and neutralization reactions (such as mixing an acid and a base).
The source of energy in an exothermic reaction is the potential energy stored in the chemical bonds of the reactants. When these bonds are broken and new bonds are formed, energy is released in the form of heat and light.
An endothermic reaction is the opposite of an exothermic reaction, in that it absorbs heat and energy from the surrounding environment. The overall energy of the products in an endothermic reaction is higher than the energy of the reactants.
Yes, exothermic reactions can be controlled and manipulated in various ways. For example, the rate of an exothermic reaction can be increased or decreased by altering the concentration of reactants, temperature, or the presence of a catalyst. However, the overall energy released in an exothermic reaction cannot be changed.