Chemical reactions release energy primarily due to the difference in bonding energy between reactants and products. In the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water, the energy stored in the bonds of the reactants (1/2 O2 and H2) is greater than that in the product (water), resulting in excess energy being released as heat. This phenomenon occurs because the formation of new bonds in water releases energy, while breaking the O-H bonds in water requires an input of energy. The net energy change is negative, indicating an exothermic reaction.
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