In: Chemistry
Does the potential energy of the chemical in a paper burning increase or decrease during this reaction?
Answer: In a simple word decreases.
The chemical energy stored in a substance is called as potential energy of the substance. This stored chemical potential energy is the heat content or enthalpy of the substance. If the enthalpy decreases during a chemical reaction, a corresponding amount of energy must be released to the surroundings. This means exothermic reaction. burning a paper is a heat releasing process (exothermic process), hence the potential energy of the chemical in a paper burning decrease during this reaction as it goes to the surroundings.
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