In chemical reactions, how is energy typically transferred?

• A. Energy is transferred between system and surroundings
• B. Energy is created
• C. Energy is stored in carbon
• D. Energy disappears

Answer: (A)

Energy moves between what’s reacting (the system) and everything around it (the surroundings) during a chemical reaction. This transfer can show up as heat, light, or a push/pull on the surroundings (work). The key idea is energy flowing into or out of the system, not being created or vanishing.

For example, exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings, making them warmer, while endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings. The total energy in the universe stays the same (conservation of energy).

The other statements aren’t how energy transfer works: energy isn’t created or disappeared, and saying energy is stored specifically in carbon misses the general mechanism—energy is stored in bonds or other forms, but transfer between system and surroundings is the fundamental aspect.