In an exothermic the change in enthalpy is usually Positive, because the potential energy of the reactants is higher than the potential energy of the products
Neutral, because the potential energy of the products and reactants cancel each other out.
Negative, because the potential energy of the reactants is higher than the potential energy of the products
Positive, because the potential energy of the reactants is lower than the potential energy of the products

Negative, because the potential energy of the reactants is higher than the potential energy of the products

Explanation:

Exothermic reaction is a reaction in which heat is released to surrounding. This is due to the fact that the heat content of the reactant is higher than the heat content of product thus producing a negative enthalpy change (ΔH) i.e

Enthalpy change = Heat of product – Heat of reactant

ΔH = Hp – Hr = negative

Considering the options given in the question above, the correct answer is:

Negative, because the potential energy of the reactants is higher than the potential energy of the products

nacl or sodium chloride is an ionic compound. this is because an ionic compound pertains to a compound that consists of positively and negatively charged ions. in this case, na (sodium) has a tendency to lose one electron when it reacts with with other atoms, so the resulting sodium ion contains 11 protons and 10 electrons, thus making it positively charged (na+), when chlorine reacts, it usually gains one electron to form an ion called chloride, thus making it negatively charged ( since the ions are oppositely charged, they attract.