Exothermic Reaction Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

easy
A hand warmer packet heats up when activated. Is this an exothermic or endothermic process? Explain.

Solution

  1. 1
    The hand warmer releases heat energy to the surroundings (your hands feel warm).
  2. 2
    Since energy flows from the reaction to the surroundings, it is exothermic.

Answer

Exothermic\text{Exothermic}
If the surroundings get warmer, the reaction is exothermic. Hand warmers typically use the oxidation of iron as their energy source.

About Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy (usually as heat or light) to the surroundings, resulting in an increase in surrounding temperature and a negative enthalpy.

Learn more about Exothermic Reaction →

More Exothermic Reaction Examples

Example 1 easy

Explain why burning methane ([formula]) is an exothermic reaction.

Example 2 medium

A reaction releases [formula] kJ of heat per mole of methane burned. If [formula] g of [formula] is

Example 4 easy

A reaction mixture causes the beaker and surrounding air to become warmer. Is the reaction exothermi

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