Question detail
What is the primary reason that feasibility does not guarantee an observable reaction rate?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Thermodynamics (A-level only)
Question
- A. The activation energy may be too high.
- B. The products are more stable than the reactants.
- C. The reaction is exothermic.
- D. The concentration of reactants is too low.
Answer
The activation energy may be too high.
Explanation
The activation energy may be too high, which means that even though the reaction is thermodynamically feasible (i.e., ΔG is negative), the energy barrier prevents the reactants from converting to products. This results in a slow reaction rate, and thus, the reaction may not be observable within a practical timeframe.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Reaction Feasibility
Students often believe that if a reaction is feasible according to Gibbs free energy calculations, it will occur quickly.
To fix this, students should understand that feasibility indicates the potential for a reaction to occur, but does not account for the activation energy or reaction kinetics, which can slow down or prevent observable reactions.
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