Which of the following is true about exothermic reactions?

Question

a.The products of the reaction are more complex than the reactants.
b.The energy of the reactants is lower than that of the products.
c.The reactants of the reaction are more complex than the products.
d.The energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants.

Answer 1

The correct statement about exothermic reactions is:

c. The reactants of the reaction are more complex than the products.

In exothermic reactions, energy is released as the reaction proceeds, typically resulting in products that are at a lower energy state than the reactants. This means that the products are generally less complex or have lower potential energy than the reactants, which is a key characteristic. However, it's important to note that complexity is context-dependent and may not always apply universally.

In summary, the key characteristics of exothermic reactions include:

• Release of energy (usually in the form of heat).
• The energy of the reactants is higher than that of the products.

So while complexity can vary, the essential aspect is that the energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants (which leads to a release of heat).