If ΔH is negative, the process is which type?

If ΔH is negative, the process is which type?

• A. Isothermal
• B. Endothermic
• C. Exothermic
• D. Adiabatic

Answer: (C)

When enthalpy change is negative, the system releases heat to its surroundings at constant pressure. That heat release defines an exothermic process. Endothermic would be the opposite, where heat is absorbed and ΔH is positive. The terms isothermal and adiabatic describe how heat and temperature behave during the process (isothermal means constant temperature; adiabatic means no heat transfer), but they don’t specify the sign of the enthalpy change.

When enthalpy change is negative, the system releases heat to its surroundings at constant pressure. That heat release defines an exothermic process. Endothermic would be the opposite, where heat is absorbed and ΔH is positive. The terms isothermal and adiabatic describe how heat and temperature behave during the process (isothermal means constant temperature; adiabatic means no heat transfer), but they don’t specify the sign of the enthalpy change.