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When potassium permanganate and glycerol react, the potential energy of the products is

less than the potential energy of the reactants. Which statement about this reaction is
correct? (1 point)
A. The total potential energy of the system is constant.
B. The reaction is exothermic.
C. The activation energy of the system is negative.
D. The reaction is endothermic.

2 Answers

7 votes

Answer: B

Step-by-step explanation:

If the potential energy of the products is less than that of the reactants, that must mean that some potential energy was converted into thermal energy during the reaction. Since the reaction released heat, the reaction is exothermic.

User Avladov
by
7.4k points
2 votes

Regarding this response, the appropriate statement is:.

B. The reaction is exothermic.

Because the potential energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants, energy must be released during the reaction. This indicates that the reaction is exothermic, which means that heat is released as a form of energy. Given that glycerol and potassium permanganate react spontaneously when combined, which suggests that the reaction is energetically advantageous, this is consistent with the fact that the reaction is favorable. The following statements are false in this situation: A. Due to the energy released during the reaction, the total potential energy of the system is not constant. C. The system's activation energy is always positive, so it can never be negative. Since endothermic reactions draw energy from their surroundings, the reaction is not endothermic.

User Remon Amin
by
7.3k points