In: Chemistry
Reaction A has an Eact of 10kcal/mol and reaction B had a Eact of 20 kcal/mol.
a. Which reaction is faster? Why?
b. Explain what Eact means.
a. reaction A is faster then reaction B
b.. When molecules collide, the kinetic energy of the molecules can be used to stretch, bend, and ultimately break bonds, leading to chemical reactions. If molecules move too slowly with little kinetic energy, or collide with improper orientation, they do not react and simply bounce off each other. However, if the molecules are moving fast enough with a proper collision orientation, such that the kinetic energy upon collision is greater than the minimum energy barrier, then a reaction occurs. The minimum energy requirement that must be met for a chemical reaction to occur is called the activation energy,.