Which Statement Correctly Describes A Chemical Reaction?

Which Statement Correctly Describes A Chemical Reaction?

A. Reactants come out of a reaction.

B. Products go into a reaction.

C. Energy is always released.

D. Bonds between atoms breaking and reforming.

Answer: D. Bonds between atoms breaking and reforming.

This statement is accurate in explaining one of the key characteristics of chemical change processes. A brief analysis of the given document reveals that a chemical reaction can be best defined as any event where one or more materials turn into one or more others with different characteristics. This is achieved through the encounter of the different atoms or molecules whereby their chemical bonds get changed or completely formed. This process is the very essence of a chemical reaction from which all chemical reactions are defined. For example, in the combustion of methane: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, the carbon to hydrogen bonds in methane and the oxygen to oxygen bonds in O2 are broken. At the same time, new bonds are created to produce carbon dioxide and water by different types of chemical reactions. The said process of breaking and reforming the bonds results in the formation of products with characteristics different from the reagents. And finally stress such important information that chemical reactions could occur due to heat, light, pressure, and catalysts. These factors supply the energy or requisite circumstances for either breaking a bond and/or forming a bond. This concept is important to comprehend in such disciplines as chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences because it defines the processes that occur in nature and industrial applications. What one must realize is that although energy can participate in a reaction, it is not always produced and the other choices (A and B) are inaccurate regarding the reactants of a chemical reaction and the products.