Potential Energy Diagrams

Front

What is a potential energy diagram?

Back

A graphical representation that shows the energy changes during a chemical reaction, illustrating the energy of reactants, products, and the activated complex.

Front

What does the term 'activation energy' refer to?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, represented by the height of the energy barrier in a potential energy diagram.

Front

What is a catalyst?

Back

A substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the activated complex?

Back

A transient, high-energy state during a reaction where old bonds are breaking and new bonds are forming.

Front

How does a catalyst affect a potential energy diagram?

Back

A catalyst lowers the activation energy, which is represented by a decrease in the height of the energy barrier in the diagram.

Front

What does the letter 'A' typically represent in a potential energy diagram?

Back

The activation energy for the forward reaction.

Front

What does the letter 'D' typically represent in a potential energy diagram?

Back

The energy of the products in the reaction.

Front

What is the significance of the energy of the reactants in a potential energy diagram?

Back

It indicates the starting energy level of the reactants before the reaction occurs.

Front

What is the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions in terms of potential energy diagrams?

Back

Exothermic reactions show a decrease in energy from reactants to products, while endothermic reactions show an increase.

Front

What does the area between the reactants and the activated complex represent?

Back

The activation energy required for the reaction to proceed.