Question

In an exothermic reaction, the enthalpy change is negative. Which of the following is also true for an exothermic reaction?

The products have a lower potential energy than the reactants.

The reactants have a lower potential energy than the products.

The potential energy of both the reactants and products is the same.

The potential energy decreases, and then increases sharply at the end of the reaction.

Answer 1

The statement that is also true for an exothermic reaction would be that the products have a lower potential energy than the reactants.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct statement is the products have a lower potential energy than the reactants.

Step-by-step explanation:

Exothermic reactions are defined as the reactions in which the enthalpy change of a reaction is negative.

Enthalpy of a reaction is determined by the equation:

`\Delta H_(rxn)=\sum H_(products)-\sum H_(reactants)`

As, the enthalpy change of the reaction is negative, which means that the potential energy of the products is less than the potential energy of the reactants.

Hence, the correct statement is the products have a lower potential energy than the reactants.