What happens to energy during a chemical change?

During a chemical change, energy can be either absorbed or produced, which is why the choice is correct. This phenomenon is due to the breaking and forming of bonds between atoms, a key process in chemical reactions.

When reactants undergo a transformation into products, the energy involved can vary. In some reactions, energy is absorbed from the surroundings, such as in endothermic reactions, where heat is taken in to facilitate the reaction. Conversely, in exothermic reactions, energy is released into the surroundings, often in the form of heat, light, or sound.

The variation in energy during chemical changes underscores the dynamic nature of chemical processes and highlights that energy is not created or destroyed but can change forms and flow into or out of the system, which contributes to the overall energy balance in a reaction. This aspect is essential in understanding thermochemistry and the energy changes associated with different types of reactions.