The dissolution of gases in water is virtually always exothermic because __________.
- one of the two endothermic steps (separation of solute particles) in the solution-formation process is unnecessary
- the exothermic step in the solution-formation process is unnecessary
- neither of the two endothermic steps in the solution-formation process is necessary
- gases react exothermically with water
- all three steps in the solution-formation process are exothermic
Answer: one of the two endothermic steps (separation of solute particles) in the solution-formation process is unnecessary.