How are energy and mass connected during the formation of an
atom?

Energy is absorbed, so the mass is increased. Energy is released, so the mass is increased

answer: enthalpy

explanation:

for a exothermic reaction, the energy is released i.e. the energy of the products is lower than the energy of the reactants.

= enthaply

= energy of products

= energy of reactants

as , thus comes out to be negative. negative value of enthalpy shows that the reaction is exothermic.