Chapter 14, Worksheet 1 & Video Notes “Rates Chem Rxns” Name_____________________

Period_____
Part I: Potential Energy Diagrams
Read pages 527-529 in Chemistry: the Central Science.
The energy changes involved in chemical reactions can be conveniently examined using
potential energy diagrams. The total potential energy of all the reactants in the reaction is illustrated
at the left of the diagram, the total potential energy of the products is at the right side, and the
activation energy change or changes are illustrated in between.
On the grids below, plot energy diagrams illustrating the reactions decribed at left.
Reaction 1: P.E.
Potential energy of reactants = 250 KJ (KJ)
Potential energy of activated complex = 350KJ 400
Potential energy of products = 300KJ
300
Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic?
How can you tell? 200
What is the value of H for this reaction?
100
What is the activation energy for this reaction?
0
Progress of reaction

In the presence of a catalyst for this reaction, how would the diagram change? Explain which of the
following would be changed, and how: energy of reactants, energy of products, energy of activated
complex, rate of reaction.

Reaction 2: P.E.
Potential energy of reactants = 350KJ
Activation energy = 100KJ 400
Potential energy of products = 250KJ
300
Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic?
How can you tell? 200
What is the value of H for this reaction?
100
What is the energy of the activated complex
for this reaction? 0
Progress of reaction

Suppose the concentrations of reactants were increased. Explain which of the following would be
changed, and how: energy of reactants, energy of products, energy of activated complex, rate of
reaction.

Selected Answers: Rxn 1: Endothermic…products at higher PE than reactamts. H = + 50 kJ, Ea = 100kJ. With
catalyst, Ea would be less, increasing the rate of reaction. Rxn 2: exothermic…products at lower PE. H = -100kJ,
PE of activated complex = 450kJ. Conc. Changes would affect the rate only. Rxn 4 (next page): PE of reactants =
100kJ, of activated complex = 350kJ, of products = 50kJ. H = -50kJ, Ea= 250kJ
Reaction 3: P.E
Potential energy of reactants = 200kJ
Potential energy of activated complex = 400KJ 400
H = +150KJ
300
Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic?
How can you tell? 200
What is the energy of products for this reaction?
100
What is the activation energy for this reaction?
0
Progress of reaction
If the temperature for this reaction was increased, how would the diagram change? Explain which
of the following would be changed, and how: energy of reactants, energy of products, energy of
activated complex, rate of reaction.
Reaction 4: P.E.
Potential energy of reactants = (KJ)
Potential energy of activated complex = 400
Potential energy of products =
300
Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic?
How can you tell? 200
What is the value of H for this reaction?
100
What is the activation energy for this reaction?
0
Progress of reaction

Video Notes: “Rates of Chemical Reactions”

ChemStudy #21 (15 min)

1. What kind of energy is used to trigger the reaction between hydrogen and chlorine? __________

2. What is the name of the “combined” molecule that is

formed at the point of highest potential energy in a reaction? _____________________________

3. What kind of barrier must be crossed for reactants to be changed to products? ______________

4. Do reactions go only in the direction from reactants to products? ___________

5. Name two factors that can be used to increase the chances

for forming an activated complex and causing reaction to proceed. 1. _________________

2. _________________
6. What effect does the presence of a catalyst
have upon the activation energy for a reaction? _______________________________