What is another name for an exothermic reaction?

An exothermic reaction is a chemical process that releases energy in the form of heat. The term "heat spike" can describe this phenomenon as it indicates a significant increase in temperature due to the energy released during the reaction. In exothermic reactions, the energy of the products is less than that of the reactants, resulting in the net release of energy, which often leads to a noticeable rise in temperature.

The other terms provided do not accurately represent exothermic reactions. Energy absorption refers to endothermic processes where energy is taken in, while the endothermic process label is distinctly related to reactions that absorb heat instead of releasing it. Temperature increase, while related, does not specifically capture the essence of an exothermic reaction in the same way that "heat spike" does, as it is more generic and could apply to various contexts, not just those involving heat release.