Explain why this statement is false: A reaction in which weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed is an endothermic reaction.

Short Answer

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The statement is false because whether a reaction is endothermic or exothermic depends on the overall energy change during the reaction, not just the bond strength. A reaction where weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed can be exothermic if the energy released by the formation of strong bonds is greater than the energy consumed to break the weak bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Exothermic and Endothermic reactions

Exothermic reactions are those in which energy is released, usually in the form of heat, when the reaction occurs. In contrast, endothermic reactions are those in which energy is absorbed, again usually in the form of heat, when the reaction occurs. In simple terms, exothermic reactions give off energy, while endothermic reactions require energy.
02

Understanding weak and strong bonds

Bonds between atoms in a molecule can be categorized as weak or strong, depending on the amount of energy required to break the bond. Weak bonds require a relatively less amount of energy to be broken, whereas strong bonds require more energy to be disrupted.
03

Analyzing the energy change in a reaction with weak bonds being broken and strong bonds being formed

In a reaction where weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed, it is important to observe the overall energy change in the reaction. If the energy required to break the weak bonds is less than the energy that is released when strong bonds are formed, the reaction would be exothermic, as it releases more energy than it consumes. On the other hand, if the energy required to break the weak bonds is more than the energy released when the strong bonds are formed, the reaction would be endothermic, as it requires more energy than it releases.
04

Evaluating the given statement

The statement given is: "A reaction in which weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed is an endothermic reaction." Based on our analysis, it is clear that this statement is not necessarily true, as the overall energy change during the reaction determines whether it is exothermic or endothermic. It is possible for a reaction in which weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed to be exothermic if the energy released by the formation of strong bonds is greater than the energy consumed to break the weak bonds. In conclusion, the statement "A reaction in which weak bonds are broken and strong bonds are formed is an endothermic reaction" is false because the overall energy change during the reaction, not just the bond strength, determines whether it is exothermic or endothermic.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The rate of a reaction depends both on inherent factors and on concentration. The rate constant \(k\) is associated with the inherent factors. What are they?

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In a kinetic study of the reaction \(2 \mathrm{ClO}_{2}(a q)+2 \mathrm{OH}^{-}(a q) \rightarrow\) \(\mathrm{ClO}_{3}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{ClO}_{2}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) the following rate data were obtained. Write a rate law complete with proper values for the orders. What is the overall order of the reaction? $$\begin{array}{cccc} \text { Experiment } & {\left[\mathrm{ClO}_{2}\right]} & {\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]} & \text {Rate }(\mathbf{M} / \mathrm{s}) \\ \hline 1 & 0.060 \mathrm{M} & 0.030 \mathrm{M} & 0.02484 \\ 2 & 0.020 \mathrm{M} & 0.030 \mathrm{M} & 0.00276 \\ 3 & 0.020 \mathrm{M} & 0.090 \mathrm{M} & 0.00828 \end{array}$$

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