Consider the potential energy diagram shown here:
a) Label the reactants, activated complex, products, ΔH, EA
and EA’ on this PE diagram.
b) Determine ΔH for this reaction (forward and reverse), and
determine the forward and reverse activation energies.
c) Is the forward reaction endothermic or exothermic?
d) Which one (reactants, activated complex, products) is least
stable? Which one is most stable? How do you know?
e) All the energy absorbed in the course of this reaction – where does it come from? f) Draw how the PE diagram would look different if a catalyst was used in the reaction.
