Question

Vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) react in an endothermic reaction to produce sodium acetate, carbon dioxide, and water

Which statement justifies classifying the reaction as endothermic?

the reaction produces water
the reaction needs a catalyst
The bounds in both the reactants and products are covalent bonds
The total potential energy of the reactants is less than the total potential energy of the products

Answer 1

The statement that justifies classifying the reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as endothermic is:

**The total potential energy of the reactants is less than the total potential energy of the products.**

In an endothermic reaction, the products have a higher total energy than the reactants, indicating that the system absorbs energy from the surroundings during the reaction.