Hydrogen bromide breaks down into diatomic hydrogen and bromine in the reaction shown.

2HBr . H2+Br2
The energy of the reactant is 732 kJ/mol, and the energy of the products is 630 kJ/mol. What is the total energy of the reactio? Is the reaction endothermic or exothermic?
102 kJ/mol endothermic
-102 kJ/mol endothermic
102 kJ/mol exothermic
-102 kJ/mol exothermic

1 answer

To determine the total energy change of the reaction, you need to calculate the difference in energy between the products and the reactants.

The formula for the energy change (\( \Delta H \)) is:

\[ \Delta H = \text{Energy of products} - \text{Energy of reactants} \]

Given:

  • Energy of reactants (HBr) = 732 kJ/mol
  • Energy of products (H2 + Br2) = 630 kJ/mol

Now plug in the values:

\[ \Delta H = 630 , \text{kJ/mol} - 732 , \text{kJ/mol} = -102 , \text{kJ/mol} \]

This means that the reaction releases energy (negative value), indicating that it is exothermic.

Thus, the total energy of the reaction is \(-102 , \text{kJ/mol}\) and the reaction is exothermic.

The correct answer is: -102 kJ/mol exothermic.