What is characteristic of exergonic reactions?

Exergonic reactions are characterized by the release of energy. This energy can be in the form of light, heat, or other forms, and is typically associated with the breaking of chemical bonds in the reactants that leads to the formation of products that have lower energy than the original reactants. This release of energy often makes these reactions spontaneous under standard conditions, meaning they can proceed without an additional energy source once they are initiated.

In contrast, reactions that require energy input or absorb heat are termed endergonic and endothermic, respectively, and would not fit the definition of exergonic reactions. Additionally, while exergonic reactions can influence temperature, the defining characteristic is the energy release rather than any specific change in temperature.