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AQA A Level Chemistry復習筆記1.6.2 Energy Level Diagrams

Category: A-level課程, 教材筆記, 福利干貨 Date: 2022年6月30日下午12:02

Energy Level Diagrams

An energy level diagram is a diagram that shows the energies of the reactants, the transition state(s) and the products of the reaction as the reaction proceeds ( called 'extent of the reaction' below)
The?transition state?is a stage during the reaction at which chemical bonds are partially broken and formed
The transition state is very unstable – a molecule in the transition state cannot be isolated and is higher in energy than the reactants and products
The?activation energy (Ea)?is the energy needed to reach the transition state
We can define the?activation energy?as ‘the minimum amount of energy needed for reactant molecules to have a successful collision and start the reaction’

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Energy-Level-Diagram

The energy level diagram for the reaction of hydrogen with chlorine to form hydrogen chloride gas

Exothermic reaction

In an exothermic reaction, the reactants are higher in energy than the products
The reactants are therefore closer in energy to the transition state
This means that exothermic reactions have a lower activation energy compared to endothermic reactions

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Energy-Level-Diagram-of-Exothermic-Reactions

The energy level diagram for exothermic reactions. ?H?is negative because the system (reactants) loses energy to the surroundings.

Endothermic reaction

In an endothermic reaction, the reactants are lower in energy than the products
The reactants are therefore further away in energy to the transition state
This means that endothermic reactions have a higher activation energy compared to exothermic reactions

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Energy-Level-Diagram-of-Endothermic-Reactions

The energy level diagram for endothermic reactions. The system (reactant substances) have gained energy so ?H is positive.

Worked Example

Drawing energy level diagrams of the combustion of methaneThe Ea?and ΔH for the complete combustion of methane are +2653 kJ mol-1?and -890 kJ mol-1?respectively.?Draw the energy level diagram for this reaction.

Answer

Step 1:?The chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane is:

CH4?(g) + 2O2?(g) → CO2?(g) + 2H2O (l)

Step 2:?Combustion reactions are always exothermic (ΔH?is negative) so the reactants should be drawn higher in energy than the products

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Step-2-Drawing-energy-level-diagrams-of-the-combustion-of-methane

Step 3:?Draw the curve in the energy level diagram clearly showing the transition state

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Step-3-Drawing-energy-level-diagrams-of-the-combustion-of-methane

Step 4:?Draw arrows to show the?Ea?and ΔH??including their values

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Step-4-Drawing-energy-level-diagrams-of-the-combustion-of-methane

Worked Example

Determining the activation energyΔH for a reaction is +70 kJ mol-1?and Ea?for the reverse reaction is +20 kJmol-1. Use the reaction pathway diagram below to determine the Ea?for the forward reaction.

1.5-Chemical-Energetics-Reaction-Pathway-Diagram-Drawing-energy-level-diagrams-of-the-combustion-of-methane

The reaction pathway diagram for a reversible reaction

Answer

- The?Ea??is the energy difference from the energy level of the reactants to the top of the ‘hump’
- Ea?(forward reaction) = (+70 kJ mol-1) + (+ 20 kJ mol-1?) =?+90 kJ mol-1

Exam Tip

The activation energy is the energy difference from?reactants?to?transition state.The enthalpy change of the reaction is the energy difference from?reactants?to?products.Remember to label the axis of the energy level diagrams!

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