Catalysts & Activation Energy

Activation Energy

Minimum energy that colliding entities must have to react; not dependent on reaction rate

Activated complex

Chemical entity containing the collided reactants; occurs at the max potential energy point

Ozone

O3; Protects us from UVC and UVB radiation

UVC

Light splitting oxygen molecules

UVB

Photolysis; O-O bond in ozone molecule is split by sunlight

Bond energy

Energy required to break a chemical bond, energy released when a bond is formed

ΔH

Energy difference of reactants VS products

Ea

Energy difference from reactants to activated complex

Reaction Mechanism

Individual reaction steps, with intermediates formed during the reaction

Inhibitor

Prevents reactions

Catalyst

Increases rate of reaction by decreasing activation energy, is not consumed

Rate determining step

Requires most activation energy, slowest, lowest collision probability

Reaction intermediate

Produces and consumed immediately