Question detail
What is the activation energy in a chemical reaction?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Kinetics
Question
- A. The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur
- B. The energy released during a reaction
- C. The energy needed to break bonds in reactants
- D. The energy needed to form products
Answer
The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur
Explanation
Activation energy is defined as the minimum energy that reacting particles must possess for a reaction to occur. This energy is necessary to break bonds in the reactants and initiate the reaction.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Activation Energy
Students often confuse activation energy with the overall energy change of a reaction, thinking it is the same as the enthalpy change.
Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a reaction to occur, not the total energy change. To clarify, remember that activation energy is a barrier that must be overcome for reactants to convert into products. For example, if a reaction has an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol, this means that the particles must collide with at least this energy for a reaction to take place.
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