A chemist wants to observe the following reaction:

2H2 + O2 → 2H2O

The chemist is standing inside a room with oxygen in the air and has a balloon filled with hydrogen. The chemist holds a small flame up to the hydrogen balloon. When the balloon pops, the hydrogen explodes in a ball of fire.

Based on what you know about breaking and forming bonds, explain which part of the reaction is higher in energy (i.e., does it take more energy to break the bonds of the reactants, or is more energy given off when the product bonds are formed?). Defend your answer in three to five sentences.