Final answer:
OPTION 3.
The energy released by an exothermic reaction is released into the surroundings, typically raising their temperature as the reaction proceeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an exothermic reaction occurs, energy is released in the form of heat or light as a result of the formation of products with stronger bonds than the reactants. This released energy raises the temperature of the surroundings rather than increasing the bond energy of the reactants or raising the temperature of the reactants. The correct answer to what happens to the energy released by an exothermic reaction is that it is released into the surroundings, thereby often increasing the temperature of those surroundings. The enthalpy of the reactions decreases, indicating that the products are more stable and have lower energy than the reactants. As a result, we observe a warmer environment due to the flow of heat from the reaction to the surroundings.