Reaction Profiles Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is meant by activation energy?

The minimum energy that the reacting particles must have for a reaction to take place.

On a reaction profile for an exothermic reaction, how do the heat energy levels of the reactants and products compare?

The products are at a lower heat energy level than the reactants.

On a reaction profile, where is the activation energy measured from and to?

From the heat energy level of the reactants up to the top (peak) of the curve.

Are the products of an endothermic reaction drawn above or below the reactants on a reaction profile?

Above: heat energy has been taken in from the surroundings, so the products end with more energy than the reactants.

On a reaction profile, what does the difference in height between the reactants and the products show?

The overall heat energy change of the reaction: the heat given out (exothermic) or taken in (endothermic).