Energy ChangesKey Facts

Key Facts: Exothermic Reactions

Part of Exothermic ReactionsGCSE Chemistry

This key facts covers Key Facts: Exothermic Reactions within Exothermic Reactions for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Exothermic Reactions in Energy Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 7 of 12

Practice

20 questions

Recall

14 flashcards

📌 Key Facts: Exothermic Reactions

  • Temperature increases — the reaction mixture and surroundings get warmer
  • Energy is released — transferred from reaction to surroundings
  • ΔH is negative — enthalpy change is less than zero (e.g., ΔH = -400 kJ/mol)
  • Energy profile dips down — products lower than reactants on diagram
  • Everyday uses: Hand warmers, self-heating cans, heating pads
  • Reversible exothermic — if reversed, the reaction is endothermic

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Exothermic Reactions. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Exothermic Reactions

In an exothermic reaction, energy is transferred:

  • A. From the surroundings to the reaction mixture
  • B. From the reaction mixture to the surroundings
  • C. Neither absorbed nor released
  • D. Only as light, not heat
1 markfoundation

Explain, in terms of bond breaking and bond making, why combustion is an exothermic reaction.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What does "exo" mean?
Outside/exit — energy exits to surroundings
What is an exothermic reaction?
A reaction that releases/transfers energy to the surroundings

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