Use the chemical equation to answer the question. CH4+2O2→2H2O+CO2 This is the chemical equation for the burning of methane gas. Which of the following explains why this process is exothermic? (1 point) Responses More energy is released from the breaking of old bonds than is absorbed from the formation of new bonds. More energy is released from the breaking of old bonds than is absorbed from the formation of new bonds. More energy is absorbed from the breaking of old bonds than is released from the formation of new bonds. More energy is absorbed from the breaking of old bonds than is released from the formation of new bonds. Less energy is released from the breaking of old bonds than is absorbed from the formation of new bonds. Less energy is released from the breaking of old bonds than is absorbed from the formation of new bonds. Less energy is absorbed from the breaking of old bonds than is released from the formation of new bonds. Less energy is absorbed from the breaking of old bonds than is released from the formation of new bonds.

1 answer

The correct response is: "Less energy is absorbed from the breaking of old bonds than is released from the formation of new bonds."

This is because, in an exothermic reaction, the energy released from the formation of new bonds (in the products, like water and carbon dioxide) is greater than the energy required to break the old bonds (in the reactants, like methane and oxygen). Therefore, the overall process releases energy.