Question: in an exothermic reaction reactants are __ products?
Answer: In the case of an exothermic reaction, the reactants are at a higher energy level as compared to the products, as shown below in the energy diagram. In other words, the products are more stable than the reactants. Overall Δ H ΔH ΔH for the reaction is negative, i.e., energy is released in the form of heat.