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The equation below shows a chemical reaction.

A + B + heat —> C + D

According to the law of conservation of energy, which statement is true?

A. The reactants absorb heat because they have less energy than the products.
B. The products release heat because they have more energy than the reactants.
C. The reactants generate heat because they have more energy than the products.
D. The products require heat to form because they have less energy than the reactants.

User Lorenz
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2 Answers

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The reactants absorb heat because they have less energy than the products.
User Rodion Gorkovenko
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Answer:

A. The reactants absorb heat because they have less energy than the products.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

The given equation of the chemical reaction indicates that the reaction is endothermic as heat is absorbed by the reactants. In an exothermic reaction heat is released by the products.

In an endothermic reaction initially the heat of the reactants in less than the products, thus according to the law of conservation of energy, the reactants absorb heat such that there is equal amount of heat on both the reactant and product side.

User Kishath
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