Which of the following statements is true for an exothermic reaction?

1) The products have higher potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is negative.

2) The products have higher potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is positive.

3) The products have lower potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is negative.

4) The products have lower potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is positive.

Question

Which of the following statements is true for an exothermic reaction?
	
1) 	The products have higher potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is negative.
	
2) 	The products have higher potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is positive.
	
3) 	The products have lower potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is negative.
	
4) 	The products have lower potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is positive.

anonymous · Answer

3.The products have lower potential energy than the reactants, and the enthalpy change is negative..


In exothermic reaction the change in enthalpy is negative because Enthalpy of reactants  are higher than the products.