In a chemical reaction, the reactants have more potential energy than the products.

Question

What does this mean?

Responses

The reaction will have to take in energy from the surroundings.
The reaction will have to take in energy from the surroundings.

The reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.
The reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.

The reaction will have to create energy from nothing.
The reaction will have to create energy from nothing.

The reaction will have to destroy energy.
The reaction will have to destroy energy.

Answer 1

If the reactants have more potential energy than the products in a chemical reaction, it means that the reaction is exothermic. In this case, the reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.

So the correct response is:

The reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.

When the reactants convert into products and the products have lower potential energy, the excess energy is typically released in the form of heat, light, or other forms of energy.