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Home Q & A Board Science-Related Homework Help Chemistry (Moderator: Laser_3)
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Juicy Juicy
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11 years ago
I am studying for my Honors Chem final and I can not remember why the products are more stable. I know that in an exothermic rxn the reactants release energy but is that the reason??
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#1
11 years ago
because an exothermic reaction will give off heat.  Heat=energy. Less energy=more stable.
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#2
11 years ago
An exothermic reaction means energy is released in the reaction. A reaction that releases energy is transitioning from a higher energy condition to a lower energy condition. To convert from the products to the reactants would require an input of energy. Nature drives to lower energy states and so the reverse action is not supported.

Another way to look at it- look at a reaction energy chart of an exothermic reaction. The smaller hump from left to right is "easier to climb" than is the higher hill going from right to left.
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