A chemical reaction that produces heat is known as what?

A chemical reaction that produces heat is referred to as exothermic. In an exothermic reaction, the energy released in the form of heat exceeds the energy absorbed, resulting in a net release of thermal energy to the surroundings. This process often leads to an increase in temperature of the environment around the reaction. Common examples of exothermic reactions include combustion, respiration, and many oxidation reactions.

Understanding the nature of exothermic reactions is important, particularly in firefighting and hazardous material management, as these reactions can lead to rapidly increasing temperatures and fire hazards. In contrast, endothermic reactions absorb heat, resulting in a cooling effect, and thermochemical refers to the study of the heat involved in chemical reactions, while combustive describes a specific type of exothermic reaction related to combustion but does not encompass all exothermic reactions. Therefore, exothermic is the correct term to describe reactions that emit heat.