Hydrogen chloride dissolves in water. the chemical change is:

hcl (gas) → h (in water) + cl (in water)

this change releases a lot of heat to its surroundings.

what is true about the potential energy of hcl when it dissolves in water?

the potential energy of hcl (gas) is less than the potential energy of h (in water) and cl (in water).

the potential energy of hcl (gas) is equal to the potential energy of h (in water) and cl (in water).

the potential energy of hcl (gas) is greater than the potential energy of h (in water) and cl (in water).

there is not enough information to determine the potential energy of hcl (gas) and the potential energy of h (in water) and cl (in water).