Video Transcript
What happens to chemical bonds in
the steps of a chemical reaction? (A) New bonds are formed, and then
the bonds between products are broken down. (B) New bonds are formed, and then
the bonds between reactants are broken down. (C) The bonds between products are
broken down, and then new bonds are formed, giving the reactants. (D) The bonds between reactants are
broken down, and then new bonds are formed, giving the products. (E) The bonds are broken down and
new bonds are formed simultaneously.
A chemical reaction is the process
by which one or more substances are changed into one or more new substances. The starting substances are called
the reactants, and the new substances are called the products. Burning carbon in oxygen is an
example of a chemical reaction. Carbon and oxygen are the
reactants, and carbon dioxide is the product.
Here’s the same reaction shown as a
particle diagram. We can see that although the number
of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the arrow, the atoms in the
reactants and products are combined in a different way. In order for the reaction to occur,
the bonds in the reactants must first be broken. Then new bonds can be formed
between the atoms to produce the products.
Looking at the answer choices, we
can see that the answer choice that correctly describes what happens to chemical
bonds during a chemical reaction is answer choice (D). During a chemical reaction, the
bonds between reactants are broken down, and then new bonds are formed, giving the
products.
