GCEChemistryEnergetics and Kinetics2024

Which of the following statements correctly describes an exothermic reaction?

AThe products have more energy than the reactants
BHeat is absorbed from the surroundings during the reaction
CThe enthalpy change of the reaction is negativeCORRECT
DThe activation energy is always zero
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Why the answer is C, and why the others tempt you.
In an exothermic reaction, energy is released to the surroundings, meaning the products have less energy than the reactants. This results in a negative enthalpy change (ΔH < 0). Options A and B describe endothermic reactions, and activation energy is never zero for real reactions.
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