Notes:

PotentialEnergyDiagrams:

1.
*2.
**3.
4.
5.
6.

*2.ActivationEnergy:

**3.ActivationComplex:
Forareactiontotakeplace:
1.

2.

PEproducts PEreactants PEproductsPE
reactants
H H
ReactantsProducts Reactants
Products

Assignments:
PotentialEnergyDiagramsPractice
1. Given the values below, draw and LABEL a potential energy diagram to the right
indicating the proper values. Note: not all the values are given, but can be calculated
using the give values.

a. Potential energy of reactants = 30 cal

b. Potential energy of products = 50 cal
c. Potential energy of activated complex = 70 cal
d. Activation energy = _______ (w/units)
e. Overall energy exchange for the reaction = ____ (w/units)

I. Is this reaction endothermic or exothermic? Explain.

II. Should the total energy exchange be positive or

negative? Explain.

III. On which side of the equation would the heat term be placed? (left / right)
Explain:

2. Methane (CH4) gas burns according to the balanced equation below.

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) -------> CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)

The energy exchange for the reaction is about -192 kcal for each mole of methane burned. If
the reactants start with a potential of 250.0 kcal and the activation energy is 100.0 kcal,
A. Draw and label a potential energy diagram below for the chemical change.
B. Answer the following:
a. Is this chemical change endothermic or
exothermic? Explain.

b. Which (reactants or products) has the highest

potential energy? Explain.

c. Which (reactants or products) has the weakest

bonds? Explain.
3. Using the diagram below find the following:
a. What number from the graph represents the potential energy of the products? ________

b. What number from the graph represents the activation energy of the reverse reaction? _______

c. Give the actual potential energy of the reactants (w/units): ________

d. Give the actual potential energy of the activated complex (w/units): ________

e. Give the actual activation energy (w/units): ________

f. Give the energy exchange for the reaction (w/units): ________

I. Is this reaction endothermic or exothermic? _________

II. Should the energy exchange be positive or negative? _________

III. On which side of the equation would this heat term be placed? (left / right)

IV. Is the reverse reaction endothermic or exothermic? _________

 Assessment:
Use diagram to complete questions 1-4.

1. Calculate the activation energy.

2. Activation energy is
a. The difference between the potential energy of the products and the potential energy of the
reactants
b. The amount of energy required for a reaction to occur
c. The intermediate stage between the reactants and products
d. The speed of a humans metabolism

3. Calculate the heat of reaction: H of this reaction.

4. Is this reaction endothermic or exothermic?