Answer is: As reactants form products, the potential energy decreases.
There are two types of reaction:
1) Endothermic reaction (chemical reaction that absorbs more energy than it releases).
2) Exothermic reaction (chemical reaction that releases more energy than it absorbs).
For example, balanced chemical reaction:
C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O ΔrH= -1370 kJ/mol.
This reaction is exothermic reaction (heat is released), so products have less potential energy and energy is transerred to surroundings.
Considering the definition of exothermic reaction, as reactants form products, the potential energy decreases (first option).
Energy is the ability to do work or to produce heat.
Chemical reactions involve a rearrangement of atoms between substances with the breaking or formation of chemical bonds. In general, this formation or breaking of chemical bonds is accompanied by changes in the energy of the system.
In exothermic reactions, energy is released when they occur (usually this energy is released in form of heat), so the reaction system temperature increases.
In a chemical reaction, the reactants are the compounds that are transformed and give rise to the products. Reactants and products have stored potential energy. In an exothermic reaction, the reactants have more potential energy compared to the products, so the excess energy is released as heat, thus complying with the law of conservation of energy, which says that energy is not lost. gain or loss, so the energy of the reactants must be equal to that of the products.
In summary, considering the definition of exothermic reaction, as reactants form products, the potential energy decreases (first option).
Learn more about exothermic reactions:
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