Which of the following statements is a consequence of the first law of thermodynamics?
A)The energy of the starting materials for a reaction equals the sum of the product energies plus energy released as heat and disorder.
B)The amount of useable energy resulting from a reaction is always less than the total energy available in the starting materials.
C)The entropy of the products of a reaction is always greater than the entropy of the starting materials.
D)The entropy of the starting materials for a reaction is always greater than the entropy of the products.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of energy conservation, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. This implies that the total energy before and after a reaction must be the same. Therefore, the energy of the starting materials equals the sum of the product energies plus any energy released as heat and disorder, aligning with choice A. Choices B, C, and D relate more to the second law of thermodynamics and concepts of energy efficiency and entropy, not directly to the first law's principle of energy conservation.

Which of the Following Statements Is a Consequence of the First