Use the reaction to answer the question. C2H6+energy→C2H4+H2 Which describes this reaction, endothermic or exothermic? Why?

Question

A. This reaction is exothermic, because more energy is taken in than released.
B. The reaction is endothermic, because more energy is taken in than released.
C. The reaction is exothermic, because more energy is released than taken in.
D. The reaction is endothermic, because more energy is released than taken in.

Answer 1

The reaction presented is:

\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + \text{energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 + \text{H}_2 \]

In this reaction, ethane (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_6 \)) absorbs energy to produce ethylene (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 \)) and hydrogen gas (\( \text{H}_2 \)). The term "energy" on the reactant side indicates that energy is absorbed in the process.

This means that the reaction requires energy input to proceed, which characterizes it as an endothermic reaction.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

B. The reaction is endothermic, because more energy is taken in than released.