Exothermic reaction

[Kim Vu 2G]

Why is it that when the temperature increases in an enthalpy problem, it is an exothermic reaction instead of endothermic?Wouldn't the increase from initial to final temperature make the system endothermic because heat is being absorbed by the system?

[Amelia Vernon 2L]

In the thermodynamic reaction Dr. Lavelle showed in class, the reaction increased from 25°C to 31.9°C (if this was the temp increase you were referring to). However, a new bond was being formed (in the H2O from the H+ and OH-) which makes the whole reaction exothermic, regardless of the temp. change since bond formation is ALWAYS exothermic. Hope this helps.

[Bryan Lau 3H]

To my understanding, the temperature of the SURROUNDING increases in an enthalpy problem, for an exothermic reaction. Heat is being RELEASED by the system (-∆H). I think the increase from initial to final temperature refers to the temperature of the SURROUNDING, because that's what would absorb the heat released (exothermic) by the system.

[AngelinaArianaAviles3G]

Whenever you are taking in to account whether or not a reaction is endothermic or exothermic, you always put it in the perspective of the system, not the surroundings. So Bryan is correct.
The system is exothermic because it is thus releasing heat in to the surroundings. If you thought about it in its counter, then you could say that the surroundings is considered endothermic since it is absorbing heat released from the system.