This is an exothermic reaction in which the energy is released to the surroundings, so the enthalpy change ΔH
ΔH = Hproducts - Hreactants
is negative.
An endothermic reaction has a positive enthalpy change. Neutralization reactions occuring between an acid and a base are generally exothermic while solvation or dissolution can be endothermic or exothermic.
