11. One reason that could explain why dynamite releases a large quantity of energy when it explodes is that the reaction is A.endothermic, and the products have more potential energy than the reactants B. endothermic, and the reactants have more potential energy than the products C. exothermic,and the products have more potential energy than the reactants D. exothermic, and the reactants have more potential energy than the products

The correct answer is **D. exothermic, and the reactants have more potential energy than the products.**<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **Exothermic reactions** release energy. An explosion is clearly a release of energy, so the reaction must be exothermic.<br />* **Potential energy and explosions:** Explosives store a large amount of potential energy in their chemical bonds. When they react (explode), these bonds are broken and reformed into more stable bonds in the products. The difference in potential energy between the reactants and products is released as heat and light (the explosion). Therefore, the reactants must have higher potential energy than the products.<br />