According to reaction kinetics, what typically happens during an exothermic reaction?

In an exothermic reaction, energy is released into the surroundings as the reactants are converted into products. This release of energy often occurs in the form of heat, which can increase the temperature of the immediate environment. During the reaction, the chemical bonds in the reactants are broken, and new bonds are formed in the products, resulting in a net release of energy. Since the products of the reaction typically have lower energy than the reactants, the excess energy is often given off, leading to an overall decrease in the internal energy of the system.

It's important to understand that this process is fundamental in many energetic processes, such as combustion, respiration, and many chemical syntheses, where the liberation of energy is utilized for various purposes. Therefore, the correct understanding aligns with the notion that energy is indeed released in exothermic reactions.