When a mixture of iron powder and sulphur powder is heated strongly to form iron sulphide, then heat energy is :
(a) released (b) first absorbed and then released
(c) absorbed (d) neither absorbed nor released
The answer is: (a) released
Explanation: When iron and sulphur powder are heated together in a dish, there'll be a red glow indicating that a reaction is taking place. After the reaction, a black compound, iron(II) sulphide (FeS) is formed. The reaction is quite strongly exothermic, which means it gives out heat.