exothermic

[baedero1]

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if a reaction is exthermic...why does potential energy decrease?
please explain..🙂

 

[BahamaTodd]

Potential energy is stored internal energy. In exothermic reactions that internal energy is released lowering the potential energy.

 

[osimsDDS]

Think of potential energy in the form of heat, where heat = energy...If you are making bonds and releasing heat you are lowering the potential energy because you used that energy to make the bonds...

Now if you break a bond which requires energy in the form of heat again, heat is taken in and potential energy increases...just think as potential energy in the form of heat...

Endo.= heat absorbed = energy absorbed
Exo.= Heat released = energy lossed/released

 

[ADentalHopeful]

look at the diagram of it.


. ..|___
PE | . \______
. ..|________
time---> Delta H is Neg: Reactant--> product + heat right? yep so

crappy diagram i know, but you have more potential energy in the begining and then as heat is released your potential energy is decreasing.

(had to put the dots there to keep the graph nicely.... 🙁)