Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
Exothermic reactions release energy, usually in the form of heat, to the surroundings, resulting in a temperature increase. In contrast, endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings, leading to a temperature decrease. The sign of the enthalpy change (∆H) indicates the nature of the reaction: negative values signify exothermic reactions, while positive values indicate endothermic reactions.
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Enthalpy Change (∆H)
Enthalpy change (∆H) is a measure of the total heat content of a system during a chemical reaction. It reflects the energy absorbed or released when reactants convert to products. A negative ∆H value, such as -44 kcal/mol in this reaction, indicates that the reaction releases heat, confirming it as exothermic.
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Equilibrium Constant (K)
The equilibrium constant (K) quantifies the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. A very large K value, like 26 x 10^33, suggests that the products are favored at equilibrium, indicating that the reaction proceeds almost to completion. This can also imply a strong driving force for the reaction, often associated with exothermic processes.
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