What is the change in enthalpy for an exothermic reaction?

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Question: What is the change in enthalpy for an exothermic reaction?

Options:

Correct Answer: Negative

Solution:

In an exothermic reaction, heat is released, resulting in a negative change in enthalpy.

What is the change in enthalpy for an exothermic reaction?

What is the change in enthalpy for an exothermic reaction?

Step 1: Understand what an exothermic reaction is. It is a type of chemical reaction that releases heat to the surroundings.
Step 2: Know that enthalpy is a measure of the total energy of a system, including internal energy and the energy required to make room for it by displacing its environment.
Step 3: In an exothermic reaction, because heat is released, the energy of the products is lower than the energy of the reactants.
Step 4: The change in enthalpy (ΔH) is calculated as the energy of the products minus the energy of the reactants.
Step 5: Since the products have less energy than the reactants, the change in enthalpy (ΔH) is negative.
Step 6: Therefore, for an exothermic reaction, the change in enthalpy is negative.

Enthalpy Change – The change in enthalpy (ΔH) indicates whether a reaction absorbs or releases heat; exothermic reactions release heat.
Exothermic Reaction – An exothermic reaction is characterized by the release of energy, typically in the form of heat, leading to a decrease in enthalpy.