When the solids Ba(OH)2 and NH4SCN are mixed, a solution is produced and the temperature drops. Which statement about the energetics of this reaction is correct?

Question

The reaction is endothermic and ΔH is negative
The reaction is exothermic and ΔH is negative
The reaction is endothermic and ΔH is positive
The reaction is exothermic and ΔH is positive

Answer 1

The correct statement about the energetics of this reaction is:

The reaction is exothermic and ΔH is negative.

The temperature drop indicates that the reaction is releasing energy to the surroundings, which is a characteristic of an exothermic reaction. The negative value of ΔH confirms that energy is being released from the reaction.