Pure soaps are crystalline solids that do not form liquid crystals, though a 50/50 mixture of some soaps and water will show liquid crystal properties. Why?

a. energy is absorbed in the reaction.

if in a given reaction the energy of products is greater than the energy of reactants it means that reaction is endothermic and during the reaction, the energy is absorbed by reactants. in an endothermic reaction, the products have more stored chemical energy than the reactants. and in this reaction the reactants are more stable than products before the compounds with less energy are always more stable.

colorless gas, exhibiting a blue glow when placed in an electric field

b) solid

its a type of rock

it is b that is the answer.