QUESTION 8 [14 marks]

Consider the following potential energy diagram (shown in Figure 2 below)
which shows the change in potential energy for a reversible reaction.
Figure 2: Potential energy diagram for A + B ⇌ C + D

1 answer

It seems like you're referring to a potential energy diagram related to a chemical reaction (A + B ⇌ C + D), but the actual figure isn't provided here. However, I can help you conceptualize how to analyze a potential energy diagram for a reversible reaction.

In a potential energy diagram for a reversible reaction, the vertical axis represents the potential energy of the system, while the horizontal axis usually depicts the progress of the reaction.

Here are some key features you would typically analyze in such a diagram:

  1. Reactants and Products: The potential energy levels of the reactants (A and B) and products (C and D) are shown. Identify the energy levels of the reactants and products.

  2. Activation Energy (Ea): This is the energy barrier that must be overcome for the reaction to take place. It is represented by the energy difference between the reactants and the transition state (the peak of the diagram).

  3. Transition State: The highest point on the diagram represents the transition state, where the arrangement of atoms is at its highest energy.

  4. Difference in Energy: The difference in potential energy between the reactants and products indicates whether the reaction is exothermic (releases energy) or endothermic (absorbs energy). If the products are at a lower energy level than the reactants, the reaction is exothermic, and vice versa.

  5. Equilibrium: For a reversible reaction, the potential energy diagram could indicate the existence of an equilibrium between the forward reaction (A + B → C + D) and the reverse reaction (C + D ⇌ A + B). The position of the energy levels can give an insight into the favorability of the forward or reverse reaction.

  6. Exothermic vs. Endothermic: If the products (C + D) have lower energy than the reactants (A + B), the reaction is exothermic. Conversely, if the products have higher energy than the reactants, the reaction is endothermic.

If you have specific questions regarding this diagram, such as calculating activation energies, predicting reaction behavior, or interpreting the significance of the energy changes, please provide additional details or context so that I can assist you better.