Question

which statement best describes what occurs during a chemical reaction?
a the bonds in products break so that elements can rearrange and form new reactants.
b bonds within the nucleus of reactant atoms are broken and rearranged to form new product atoms.
c the bonds in reactants break so that elements can rearrange and form new products.
d reactant atoms are destroyed, releasing energy which is used to create new product atoms.

Explanation:

In a chemical reaction, reactant bonds break. Atoms then rearrange to form new products. Option A is wrong as products are formed, not reactants. Option B: Chemical reactions don't involve nuclear bonds. Option D: Atoms aren't destroyed (Law of Conservation of Mass).

Answer:

C. The bonds in reactants break so that elements can rearrange and form new products.