Potential Energy Diagrams Worksheet

Potential Energy Diagrams

Read each question carefully and provide detailed answers or select the best option. Refer to the potential energy diagram provided for relevant questions.

Refer to the potential energy diagram below for questions 1-3.

1. Is the overall reaction represented by the diagram endothermic or exothermic? Justify your answer.

2. Label the activation energy for the forward reaction (Ea_forward) and the activation energy for the reverse reaction (Ea_reverse) on the provided diagram. (You can describe where to label if you cannot draw on the diagram directly)

3. What does the highest peak on the potential energy diagram represent?

4. A catalyst is added to a reaction. How would this affect the potential energy diagram?

5. For a reaction to occur, reactant molecules must possess a minimum amount of energy called the:

6. In an   reaction, the products have a lower potential energy than the reactants, and heat is released.

7. The difference between the potential energy of the products and the reactants is called the   change (ΔH).

8. A reaction mechanism with multiple steps will have a potential energy diagram with multiple  , each representing a transition state.

9. A reaction with a high activation energy will always proceed at a very slow rate.

10. The potential energy diagram for a reversible reaction is the same whether the reaction proceeds in the forward or reverse direction.

11. Describe the key features of a potential energy diagram for a two-step reaction, clearly identifying the intermediates and transition states.