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which substance should you add to water to release the most thermal energy when activated?

A table shows the thermic nature of the reaction of 4 substances with water: Sodium chloride, slightly endothermic; Potassium chloride, endothermic; Sodium carbonate, slightly exothermic; Calcium chloride, exothermic

A
Sodium chloride

B
Calcium chloride

C
Sodium carbonate

D
Potassium chloride

1 answer

To determine which substance releases the most thermal energy when added to water, we can analyze the thermic nature of the reactions described:

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl): Slightly endothermic (absorbs some heat).
  • Potassium chloride (KCl): Endothermic (absorbs heat).
  • Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3): Slightly exothermic (releases a small amount of heat).
  • Calcium chloride (CaCl2): Exothermic (releases significant heat).

Given this information, the substance that releases the most thermal energy upon activation in water is B. Calcium chloride, as it is categorized as exothermic, meaning it releases heat when dissolved.