In the Reaction Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide

Question

In the reaction glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + heat, the:
A) products have more potential energy than the reactants.
B) products have less potential energy than the reactants.
C) products have the same amount of potential energy as the reactants.
D) entropy has decreased.

Accepted Answer

This reaction is a classic example of exothermic reaction, which means that energy is released from the system as heat. In this case, glucose and oxygen (the reactants) have more potential energy than carbon dioxide and heat (the products). The energy released from the system is in the form of heat, which is why this reaction is often used to produce energy in living organisms. Therefore, option B is correct. Option A and C are not correct because the potential energy of the products and reactants is not equal. Option D is incorrect because there is no information given about the change in entropy in the reaction.