Chapter 16: Problem 18

Sketch a diagram showing how the potential energy changes with the progress of an endothermic reaction. Label the curve "Initial state, ". Final state," and "Transition state." Then, draw a second curve to show the change brought about by a catalyst.

Short Answer

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The potential energy diagram of an endothermic reaction shows a rise from the initial state to the transition state, and a lower final state, indicating energy absorption. When a catalyst is introduced, it creates a second pathway with a lower activation energy, represented by a second curve with a lower peak but with the same initial and final states.

Step by step solution

Understanding Endothermic Reactions

Endothermic reaction is a type of reaction where heat is essentially absorbed from the surroundings. In these reactions, the energy required for breaking the chemical bonds in the reactants is more than the energy released when new bonds are formed in the products. Therefore, overall, these reactions absorb energy. This can be represented on the potential energy diagram, where the energy of the reactants will be lower than that of the products.

Sketching the Initial Curve

Start from the left with the initial state (reactants) and sketch a curve that rises up to the transition state and then comes down but still shows the final state (products) at a higher level than the initial state. The highest point on the curve represents the transition state, which is the point of maximum energy just before the reaction proceeds. The difference in height between the initial and final state represents the change in energy during the reaction.

Understanding the Role of a Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by providing a different pathway for the reaction that has a lower activation energy. The catalyst isn't consumed in the reaction. In the potential energy diagram, this will be represented by a second curve that follows a similar path as the first curve but doesn't rise as high.

Sketching the Catalyst Curve

Draw a second curve starting from the same initial state as the first curve. This curve should rise to a lower peak (representing lower activation energy due to the catalyst) before coming down to the same final state as the first curve. This new curve demonstrates the lower energy pathway provided by the catalyst.

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Sketch a diagram showing how the potential energy changes with the progress of an endothermic reaction. Label the curve "Initial state, ". Final state," and "Transition state." Then, draw a second curve to show the change brought about by a catalyst.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Endothermic Reactions

Sketching the Initial Curve

Understanding the Role of a Catalyst

Sketching the Catalyst Curve

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