In an endothermic reaction, the standard enthalpy change ΔH° is positive.

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Multiple Choice

In an endothermic reaction, the standard enthalpy change ΔH° is positive.

Explanation:
Enthalpy change reflects heat flow into or out of a system at constant pressure. In an endothermic reaction, heat is absorbed from the surroundings, so the system’s enthalpy increases. Under standard conditions, this means the standard enthalpy change ΔH° is positive. If the reaction were exothermic, heat would be released and ΔH° would be negative; zero would imply no net heat transfer, which isn’t the case for a reaction with a defined enthalpy change. Therefore, a positive ΔH° correctly describes an endothermic process.

Enthalpy change reflects heat flow into or out of a system at constant pressure. In an endothermic reaction, heat is absorbed from the surroundings, so the system’s enthalpy increases. Under standard conditions, this means the standard enthalpy change ΔH° is positive. If the reaction were exothermic, heat would be released and ΔH° would be negative; zero would imply no net heat transfer, which isn’t the case for a reaction with a defined enthalpy change. Therefore, a positive ΔH° correctly describes an endothermic process.

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