Reaction Energy Diagrams
Visualize reaction energy diagrams that plot potential energy versus reaction progress. Identify reactants, products, transition states, activation energy (Ea), and enthalpy change (ΔH). Understand how exothermic reactions release energy (ΔH < 0) while endothermic reactions absorb energy (ΔH > 0), and how catalysts lower activation energy without changing ΔH, thereby increasing reaction rate.
REACTION ENERGY DIAGRAMS
Visualize how the potential energy of a chemical system changes over the course of a reaction.
CORE FORMULAS
Enthalpy change
AP EXAM CONNECTION
Unit: Unit 5: Kinetics
Learning Objective: ENE-1.A
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Thinking catalysts change enthalpy change.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Catalysts lower activation energy.
