Which of the following physical or chemical transformations are fundamentally exothermic processes ( — Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

(A) Acid-base neutralization reactions are universally exothermic. (B) The hydration of anhydrous transition metal salts (like $CuSO_4$) releases stabilizing hydration energy. (C) Dissolution of strong alkalis like $NaOH$ is highly exothermic because dominant solvent hydration energies overwhelmingly compensate for the lattice energy. (D) Sublimation requires actively breaking intermolecular forces, which strictly requires an input of heat (endothermic).