Exothermic (gives out heat) |
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An exothermic process gives out heat. Sodium metal reacts with water, taking the oxygen, to form sodium oxide, that immediately dissolves, to from a solution of sodium hydroxide. The exothermic reaction produces enough heat to melt the sodium, and to ignite the hydrogen gas released. |
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Exothermic processes include: dissolving caustic soda in water, adding concentrated sulfuric acid to water (be careful!), burning, fission, and fusion. The most exothermic chemical reaction known, per kilogram of reactants, is the burning hydrogen in oxygen. |