In an exothermic reqaction,

Options

A. the difference of the potential energy of the reactants and products is equal to the energy of the activated complex
B. the total potential energy of the reactants is higher than the total potential energy of the products
C. the sum of the potential energies of the reactants and products is equal to the energy of the activated complex
D. the total potential energy of the reactants is lower than the total energy of the products.

Answer

B

Explanation

The following is the potential energy profile for an exothermic reaction:
The plot shows th echange in potential energy as reactants `A` and `B` are convertited to products `C` and `D` . The activated complex is a highly unstable species with a high potential energy. The activation energy of the backward reaction, `(E_(a))_(b)` , is greater than the products `(C and D)` are more stable than the reactants `(A and B)` .
Energy of activation of an exothermic reaction or an endothermic reaction is always positive.