What happens when the temperature is decreased in an exothermic reaction?

In an exothermic reaction, heat is released as the reaction proceeds, resulting in a transfer of energy from the system to the surroundings. When the temperature is decreased, the equilibrium of the reaction responds to this change according to Le Chatelier's principle. This principle states that if an external change is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust to counteract that change.

In the case of lowering the temperature, the system will shift in favor of the exothermic direction to produce more heat. This shift results in the conversion of more reactants into products as the system seeks to restore the lost heat. Therefore, a decrease in temperature leads to an increase in the concentration of products, meaning the correct choice identifies that products increase when the temperature is lowered in an exothermic reaction.