#1: which of the following is an exothermic reaction? a. dissolving ammonium nitrate in water to cool the water b. condensation c. melting ice d. dissolving sugar in water **my answer; c is that right? @aaronq : )

An exothermic reaction is one in which heat is released from the reagents into the ambient environment. Perhaps somewhat counterintuitively, condensation is in fact an example of such a reaction. During the process of the gas-to-liquid phase change, water goes from a higher-energy to lower-energy state of matter, and, as such, releases heat into the environment.