What occurs when a chemical reaction takes place?

When a chemical reaction occurs, reactants undergo a transformation into products, which involves breaking and forming chemical bonds. This process is fundamental to all chemical reactions. During the reaction, the bonds that hold atoms together in the reactants are broken, allowing atoms to rearrange and form new bonds to create the products. This bond transformation is what ultimately changes reactants into different substances, showcasing the dynamic nature of chemical interactions.

The other options do not accurately describe what happens during a chemical reaction. For instance, stating that products form without any changes in bonds fails to capture the essential features of chemical bonding involved in reactions. Additionally, the notion that only solids are formed from liquid reactants is overly restrictive, as chemical reactions can yield gases, liquids, or solids depending on the specific reactants and conditions. Lastly, the idea that no energy is exchanged contradicts the principle that energy changes (either absorbance or release) occur during these transformations, which is closely linked to breaking and forming bonds.