The diagram shows the potential energy changes for a reaction pathway.

1. does the diagram illustrate an endothermic or exothermic reaction? give reasons to support your answer?
2. describe how you can determine the total change in enthalpy and activation energy and if each is positive or negative.

Answer and explanation;

#1. Exothermic reaction

The reaction shown in the diagram is an exothermic reaction.This is because the energy of the energy of the products is less than the energy of reactants.Enthalpy change = Energy of products - energy of reactantsTherefore, the enthalpy change of the reaction shown will be a negative value since the energy of the reactants is greater than that of the products.

#2.

Total enthalpy change may be calculated by getting the difference between the energy of the reactants and that of the products.Total enethalpy change =Energy of products - energy of reactants

Therefore;in this case

Total enthalpy change = A - C

Activation energy on the other hand is the energy minimum energy required by the reactants for the reaction to start.

In this case;

Activation energy = B -A

Electrons are emitted