Chemistry Regents Practice Test

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What occurs during the reaction Cl2 → Cl + Cl?

A bond is formed
A bond is broken as energy is released
A bond is broken as energy is absorbed
No change occurs

The correct answer is: A bond is broken as energy is absorbed

The reaction Cl2 → Cl + Cl demonstrates the breaking of a chlorine-chlorine bond to yield two individual chlorine atoms. In this process, energy must be supplied to overcome the attractive forces holding the two chlorine atoms together in the Cl2 molecule. This is known as bond dissociation. When energy is absorbed to break the bond, the two chlorine atoms are formed as separate entities. This process does not release energy; rather, it requires energy input to overcome the bond strength. Hence, the correct characterization of this reaction is that a bond is broken as energy is absorbed. Bond formation is not occurring in this scenario; rather, the focus is purely on the bond breaking between the diatomic chlorine molecule. Therefore, the details of the energy changes involved in this reaction clarify why the correct answer is that a bond is broken while energy is absorbed.