The activation energy was measured for both the forward (E_a=150 kJ/mol_rxn) and reverse (E_a = 95 kJ/mol_rxn) directions of a reversible reaction. What would be the activation energy for the reverse reaction in the presence of a catalyst that decreased the activation energy for the forward reaction to
125 kJ/ mol_rxn?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Catalysts lower the activation energy of a reaction by the same amount for both the forward and reverse reactions. The original activation energy for the forward reaction was 150 kJ/mol, and the catalyst reduced it to 125 kJ/mol, a decrease of 25 kJ/mol. However, the question asks for the activation energy of the reverse reaction with the catalyst, not the amount it was reduced by. Since the original activation energy for the reverse reaction was 95 kJ/mol, and the catalyst would reduce it by the same 25 kJ/mol, the new activation energy for the reverse reaction would be 70 kJ/mol, which is not an option provided.

The Activation Energy Was Measured for Both the Forward (Ea=150

The Activation Energy Was Measured for Both the Forward (E_a=150