Question

For a reversible chemical reaction where the forward process is exothermic, which of the following statements is correct ?

• A. The backward reaction has higher activation energy than the forward reaction
• B. The backward and the forward processes have the same activation energy
• C. The backward reaction has lower activation energy
• D. No activation anergy is required at all since energy is liberated in the process.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The backward reaction has higher activation energy than the forward reaction

Answer 2

The energy profile diagram for a exothermic reaction is as

$\therefore \left(E_{a}\right)_{b}>\left(E_{a}\right)_{f}$