Question

Identify the error in this statement: “If a reaction transfers energy to the surroundings the product molecules must have more energy than the reactants”

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

A reaction may be exothermic or endothermic. In an exothermic reaction, energy is given out from the reaction system. This means that energy is transferred to the surroundings and the reactants have more energy than the products.

A reaction in which energy is absorbed from the surroundings is called an endothermic reaction. In this case, the products have more energy than the reactants.

So the statement "If a reaction transfers energy to the surroundings the product molecules must have more energy than the reactants” is erroneous. The error in the statement is the part that says "...the product molecules must have more energy than the reactants”. It ought to have read, "the reactants have more energy than the products" in accordance with the explanation above.