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Glite Dictionary
exotherm

exotherm

1 9.9
A chemical change that gives off heat when new substances form
  • noun
  • /ˈɛksoʊˌθɜrm/
  • Specialized
: exotermo
  • The reaction produced an exotherm, rapidly increasing the surrounding temperature.

Examples

  • An exotherm releases heat when formed.

  • When an exotherm is formed, energy is released in the form of heat.

  • Researchers measured the heat given off by the exotherm during the polymerization process.

  • The reaction produced an exotherm that warmed the surroundings.

  • The exotherm in the reaction released heat, making the mixture warm to the touch.

  • Chemists often use an exotherm to maintain high temperatures during a reaction.

  • When the exotherm formed, the heat generated helped speed up the chemical process.

Surface Forms

exotherm singular
exotherms plural

Morphology

exotherm = therm (transparent) = exo + therm

The scientific combining form 'exo-' (out/release) + 'therm' (heat) directly conveys 'releasing heat', matching the sense.

Etymology

Exotherm comes from Greek parts exo- meaning 'outside' and therm meaning 'heat', and you can see therm in familiar words like thermal or thermometer. So an exotherm is literally 'heat going out' and refers to a reaction that gives off heat.