Question detail
A student says ?exothermic means energy disappears.? What is the best correction?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Exothermic and endothermic reactions
Question
- A. Energy is conserved; it is transferred from the reaction to the surroundings.
- B. Energy disappears from the reactants and is not transferred anywhere.
- C. Energy is absorbed from the surroundings into the products.
- D. Energy is created only when products cool down.
Answer
Energy is conserved; it is transferred from the reaction to the surroundings. Exothermic does not mean energy disappears.
Explanation
Energy is conserved; it moves from the chemical system into the surroundings. This correction is important because exothermic reactions transfer energy, while endothermic reactions take energy in from the surroundings.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Exothermic Reactions
Students often think that exothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings instead of transferring it.
Remember that an exothermic reaction is defined as one that transfers energy to the surroundings, resulting in a release of heat.
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