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Reaction Energy Profile

A reaction energy profile is a graphical representation showing the energy changes that occur during a chemical reaction.

Key Concepts​

  • Reactants and Products: Starting and ending points on the energy diagram
  • Activation Energy (Ea): Energy barrier that must be overcome for a reaction to proceed
  • Transition State: High-energy intermediate state at the peak of the energy curve
  • ΔH (Enthalpy Change): Difference in energy between products and reactants
    • Exothermic: ΔH < 0, releases energy
    • Endothermic: ΔH > 0, absorbs energy

Single-Step Reaction Profile​

  • Reactants → Peak (transition state) → Products
  • The height of the peak represents the activation energy
  • The difference in vertical position between reactants and products is ΔH

Importance​

  • Predicts reaction spontaneity and energy requirements
  • Visualizes kinetic vs. thermodynamic considerations
  • Helps design catalysts to lower activation energy and increase reaction rate

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