Exergonic reactions are chemical reactions that release energy. They occur when the products have less potential energy than the reactants, resulting in a negative change in free energy.
Related terms
Activation Energy: The minimum amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction.
Endergonic Reactions: These are opposite to exergonic reactions and require an input of energy to proceed.
Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed.