In an exothermic reaction, which of the following statements is correct?

• A. The products have higher enthalpy than the reactants.
• B. The temperature of the surroundings decreases.
• C. Energy is released to the surroundings.
• D. The reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of an exothermic reaction: it is a chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, to the surroundings.
2. Recall that enthalpy (H) is a measure of the total heat content of a system. In an exothermic reaction, the enthalpy of the products is lower than that of the reactants because energy is released.
3. Analyze the temperature change in the surroundings: since energy is released from the system to the surroundings, the temperature of the surroundings increases, not decreases.
4. Evaluate each statement based on these principles: products having higher enthalpy than reactants is incorrect; temperature of surroundings decreasing is incorrect; energy being released to the surroundings is correct; reaction absorbing heat from surroundings is incorrect.
5. Conclude that the correct statement for an exothermic reaction is that energy is released to the surroundings.