in a exothermic reaction ________ energy is converted to ________ energy.
A. potential, kenetic
B. kinetic, potential
C. thermal, potential
D. heat, thermal
I agree with you , the answers stink.
chemcical potential energy is released to become thermal energy, however,under the KMT, thermal energy is movement of molecules, or in 4th grade terms, kinetic.
A is the best of the lot, however, it would not explain how light or heat is radiated from the reaction. It really is a poorly worded answer.
The correct answer is D. heat, thermal.
To understand why, let's break down the terms involved in the question.
First, let's define what an exothermic reaction is. An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. In other words, it produces more energy than it consumes. The prefix "exo" means "out" or "outside," so exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings.
Now, let's look at the options given.
A. Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or condition. However, exothermic reactions typically do not convert potential energy into kinetic energy, so this option is not correct.
B. Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. While kinetic energy may be involved in a reaction, in an exothermic reaction, the primary form of energy released is heat, not kinetic energy. Therefore, this option is not correct.
C. Thermal energy refers to the internal energy of an object or system, which includes the kinetic energy of its particles. While an exothermic reaction can increase the thermal energy of its surroundings, it does not directly convert thermal energy into potential energy. So, this option is not correct either.
D. Heat is the form of energy that is transferred between objects or systems due to temperature differences. It is often used interchangeably with thermal energy. In an exothermic reaction, heat is produced and released to the surroundings, increasing the thermal energy of the surroundings. Therefore, option D is correct.
To summarize, in an exothermic reaction, energy is converted to heat or thermal energy.