An exothermic process is characterized by:

• A. Creating energy
• B. Releasing energy
• C. Absorbing energy
• D. Requiring energy

Answer: (B)

An exothermic process transfers energy from the system to its surroundings, so energy is released. You can feel this as heat (and sometimes light) leaving the reacting substances and warming the surroundings. That’s why releasing energy is the correct description.

The other ideas imply energy is being added to or created within the system, which isn’t characteristic of exothermic reactions—for example, absorbing energy or requiring energy describes endothermic processes or energy input, not energy release.