Potential Energy Diagrams

Front

What is potential energy in the context of chemical reactions?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in a system due to its position or configuration, which can be released during a chemical reaction.

Front

What is an activated complex?

Back

An activated complex is a transient, unstable arrangement of atoms that occurs during the transition state of a chemical reaction, where reactants are transformed into products.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, allowing reactants to reach the activated complex.

Front

How is the change in heat of the reaction (ΔH) calculated?

Back

ΔH is calculated as the difference in potential energy between the products and the reactants of a chemical reaction.

Front

What does a negative ΔH indicate about a reaction?

Back

A negative ΔH indicates that the reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases energy to the surroundings.

Front

What is an exothermic reaction?

Back

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, to its surroundings.

Front

What is the potential energy of the products in a chemical reaction?

Back

The potential energy of the products is the energy stored in the chemical bonds of the products after the reaction has occurred.

Front

How does the potential energy of reactants compare to that of products in an exothermic reaction?

Back

In an exothermic reaction, the potential energy of the reactants is higher than that of the products.

Front

What role does temperature play in activation energy?

Back

Temperature can affect the kinetic energy of molecules, increasing the likelihood that they will have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier.

Front

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

Back

The energy barrier represents the activation energy needed for the reaction to proceed, indicating the energy required to reach the activated complex.