When sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) are combined, a small amount of table salt is formed and a bright

yellow light and a lot of heat are given off. Does it take more energy to break the bonds of the
reactants, or is more energy released when forming the bonds of the products? How do you know?
(1 point)
More energy is released when forming the bonds of the products because a lot of heat is given off, which
indicates energy was released.
More energy is released when forming the bonds of the products because yellow light is given off, which
indicates energy was released.
It takes more energy to break the bonds of the reactants because a lot of heat is given off, which indicates
energy was absorbed in the beginning.
It takes more energy to break the bonds of the reactants because yellow light is given off, which indicates
energy was absorbed in the beginning.

1 answer

The correct answer is: More energy is released when forming the bonds of the products because a lot of heat is given off, which indicates energy was released.

In chemical reactions, the overall energy change can be determined by comparing the energy required to break the bonds in the reactants with the energy released when forming the bonds in the products. If a significant amount of heat is given off, it indicates that the reaction is exothermic, meaning that more energy is released during the formation of the product bonds than is required to break the reactant bonds. The bright yellow light also suggests that the reaction is releasing energy in the form of light.