Missouri Basic Skills Practice Test

Exothermic describes a chemical reaction that releases heat to the surroundings. This means the energy found in the reactants is higher than in the products, and the excess energy leaves as heat (and sometimes light). That’s why this term is the best answer for a reaction that gives off heat.

Dissipate isn’t the correct term for describing the type of reaction; it’s a verb meaning to scatter or spread out, and it doesn’t name the heat- release behavior of a reaction. Provisional and centric refer to temporary conditions and being centered, respectively, and don’t relate to heat transfer in chemical reactions. For contrast, remember that some reactions are endothermic, meaning they absorb heat rather than release it.