Question

In an energy diagram, the reactants are at a higher potential energy compared to the products. Which of the following best describes this reaction?
A)

It is endothermic and will have a positive enthalpy.

B)

It is endothermic and will have a negative enthalpy

C)

It is exothermic and will have a positive enthalpy.

D)

It is exothermic and will have a negative enthalpy.

Answer 1

Answer is (D) - It is exothermic and will have a negative enthalpy.

If the reactants are at a higher potential energy compared to the products, it means reactants have more energy than the products. That energy is released to the environment as heat. Due to the releasing of heat to the surrounding, the reaction is exothermic. Since the reaction is exothermic; the enthalpy of the reaction will be negative value.