Question

In each of the three reactions between NaOH and HCl, the sign of q for the water was positive. This means the the sign of q for the reaction was ______ and the reaction was ______.

Answer 1

This means the the sign of q for the reaction was _NEGATIVE _____ and the reaction was _EXOTHERMIC_____.

Step-by-step explanation:

In calorimetry, when heat is absorbed by the solution, the q-value of the solution will have a positive value. This means that the reaction will produce heat for the solution to absorb and thus the q-value for the reaction will be negative. This is an exothermic reaction.

Whereas, when heat is absorbed from the solution, the q-value for the solution will have a negative value. This means that the reaction will absorb heat from the solution and so the reaction is endothermic, and q value for the reaction is positive.

So, from the question, since the q-value of water is positive, it means that heat is absorbed by the solution and the reaction will produce a negative value of q and it's an exothermic reaction because the reaction produces heat for the solution.