To determine whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic, we need to calculate the total bond energy for both the reactants and the products.
Given Data
-
Reactants (CH4 + 4Cl2):
- Bonds:
- 4 H–C bonds
- 4 Cl–Cl bonds
- Bond energies:
- H–C: 411 kJ/mol
- Cl–Cl: 242 kJ/mol
- Bonds:
-
Products (CCl4 + 4HCl):
- Bonds:
- 4 C–Cl bonds
- 4 H–Cl bonds
- Bond energies:
- C–Cl: 327 kJ/mol
- H–Cl: 427 kJ/mol
- Bonds:
Calculation of Total Bond Energies
Reactants:
- Total energy of bonds broken: \[ (4 \times 411) + (4 \times 242) = 1644 + 968 = 2612 \text{ kJ/mol} \]
Products:
- Total energy of bonds formed: \[ (4 \times 327) + (4 \times 427) = 1308 + 1708 = 3016 \text{ kJ/mol} \]
Comparison of Total Bond Energies
- Total energy of bonds broken (Reactants): 2612 kJ
- Total energy of bonds formed (Products): 3016 kJ
Conclusion
Since the total bond energy of the products (3016 kJ) is greater than that of the reactants (2612 kJ), energy is absorbed in the reaction, indicating that it is endothermic.
Correct Statement:
- The reaction is endothermic because the total bond energy of the reactants is less than the total bond energy of the products.
Thus, the correct response is: The reaction is endothermic because the total bond energy of the reactants is less than the total bond energy of the products.