Question

Consider the following chemical equation for the combustion of methane.
$C{H}_4+O_2\to C{O}_2+H_{2}O$

• A. Energy required to break bonds between C and H in $C{H}_4$ is less than the energy required to form them.
• B. Energy required to break bonds between C and H in $C{H}_4$ is more than the energy required to form them.
• C. Reactants have more energy than the products.
• D. Products have more energy than the reactants.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Reactants have more energy than the products.

The substances reacting are methane and oxygen (reactants). They have some amount of internal energy inside them. When they react, products (carbon dioxide and water) are formed which also have some energy in them. The total energy of the reactants is more than total energy of the products. This difference of energy is released as heat of the reaction.