Examples of Exothermic Reaction

Most common examples of exothermic reaction are given below:

• Combustion Reaction
• Neutralization Reaction
• Corrosion Reaction
• Chemical composition

Combustion Reaction

The reaction of burning of carbon-containing compounds by using oxygen, from air, and produces carbon dioxide, water, and Energy are called Combustion Reaction.

Fuel + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + Energy

Some examples of combustion are,

The burning of natural gas methane is also an example of an exothermic reaction. Given below is the reaction.

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O + Energy

Combustion of glucose, given by the following reaction:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy

Neutralization Reaction

Neutralization reaction is also a common example of exothermic reaction in daily life. when an acid and a base are combined. There H⁺ and OH^– ions are released, these ions combine to form water. In any neutralization process, the products are always water and some form of an ionic salt.

A general example of a neutralization Reaction is given below.

Acid + Base → Salt + Water + Energy

Some examples of Neutralization Reaction are,

The reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an exothermic neutralization reaction. It forms common table salt (NaCl) and water

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O + Energy

Acetic acid reacts with ammonium hydroxide to produce ammonium acetate, water and energy.

CH₃COOH + NH₄OH → NH₄CH₃COO + H₂O + Energy

Chemical Decomposition

A chemical decomposition reaction can be define as it is a reaction in which a compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. The starting materials are called reactants while final materials are called products. These reaction are mostly Exothermic but some may be endothermic.

AB → A + B + Energy

Example:

• Decomposition of NO: 2NO → N₂ + O₂ + Energy

• Decomposition of Ozone: 2O₃ → 3O₂ + Energy

Corrosion Reaction

Corrosion Reaction is also example of exothermic reaction. It is destructive process that damages the surface of metal. This deterioration is occurs because of oxidation of the metal atoms due to environmental exposure.

The general example of Corrosion exothermic reaction is given below.

Metal atoms + Oxygen → Metal oxide + Energy

• Iron Rusting is common example of corrosion in daily life.

4Fe + 3O₂ + 6H₂O → 4Fe(OH)₃ + Energy

Exothermic Reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat to its surroundings. Common examples of exothermic reactions include combustion reactions, where substances burn and produce heat as a byproduct, such as the burning of wood or the combustion of gasoline in an engine.

In this article, we will discuss the concept of Exothermic Reaction in detail including its definition, example, exothermic chemical reactions, its graph, as well as its differences from endothermic reactions.