Question

Which graph represents an exothermic reaction?
A graph has Reaction progression on the horizontal axis and energy on the vertical axis. A line starts about halfway up the vertical axis and travels a short distance parallel to the horizontal axis; this segment is A plus B. The line then curves up sharply, peaks, and falls sharply to run parallel to and near the horizontal axis; the final segment is C. A double-headed arrow extends from A plus B to C.
A graph has Reaction progression on the horizontal axis and energy on the vertical axis. A line segment labeled A plus B starts low and runs parallel to the horizontal axis. The line then curves up sharply, peaks, and falls a short distance to run parallel to the horizontal axis; the final segment is labeled C. A double-headed arrow extends from A plus B to C.
A graph has Reaction progression on the horizontal axis and energy on the vertical axis. A line segment labeled A plus B starts halfway up the vertical axis and runs parallel to the horizontal axis for a short distance. The line then peaks and returns to the same level as A plus B and continues parallel to the horizontal axis; this segment is labeled C.
A graph has Reaction progression on the horizontal axis and energy on the vertical axis. A line segment labeled A plus B starts low on the vertical axis and runs parallel to the horizontal axis for a short distance. The line then rises sharply and levels off; this level section is labeled C. A double-headed arrow extends from the level of A plus B to that of C.

Answer 1

The first graph. It shows the products (C) at lower potential energy than the reactants (A + B), so energy is released (ΔH < 0) — the hallmark of an exothermic reaction.