Chemistry GCSE
Exothermic Reaction
What Exothermic Reaction means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Exothermic Reaction
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
A reaction that transfers energy to the surroundings, causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase.
A reaction that transfers energy to the surroundings, causing the temperature to increase.
Topics that use Exothermic Reaction
- Extracting metals and equilibria (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Rates of reaction and energy changes (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Endothermic Reaction
- Activation Energy
- Catalyst
- Closed System
- Dynamic Equilibrium
- Collision Theory
- Le Chatelier's Principle
- Rate of Reaction
Using Exothermic Reaction in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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