To determine whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic based on bond energies, we need to look at the total bond energies of the reactants and products.
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Exothermic Reaction: This occurs when the total bond energy of the reactants is greater than the total bond energy of the products. In this case, the reaction releases energy, as more energy is released when new bonds are formed than is required to break the initial bonds.
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Endothermic Reaction: This occurs when the total bond energy of the reactants is less than the total bond energy of the products. This means that energy is absorbed in the reaction as the products have higher bond energy than the reactants.
Given the statements in your question, 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."
This statement accurately summarizes that the bond energies of products are greater than those of the reactants, which is characteristic of an endothermic reaction.
If the total bond energy of the reactants was greater than that of the products, then the reaction would be exothermic.