reaction profiles

diagrams showing the relative energies of the reactants and products in a reaction and how the energy changes over the course of the reaction

what are the different energy levels of the products and reactants in exothermic reactions?

products have lower energy than the reactants

what does the differences in height between the products and reactants in a exothermic reaction profile show?

• the overall energy change in the reaction

  • energy given out per mole

what does the initial rise in energy in the exothermic reaction profile show?

• activation energy

  • to start the reaction

what is the activation energy?

minimum amount of energy the reactants need to collide and react

what are the different energy levels of the products and reactants in an endothermic reaction profile show?

products have a higher energy than reactants

what is the difference in height between the products and reactants in an endothermic reaction profile?

• the overall energy change during the reaction

  • energy taken in per mole