Which of the following explains the importance of the activation energy acting as a barrier for reactants? a: it prevents most reactions from occurring spontaneously. b: it ensures the activated complexes remain stable. c: it allows energy to be released slowly from products. d: it stops the activated complexes from ever forming.

here we have to get the change of moles on decrease the volume of the reaction in gas phase.

the   per the given options it will decrease by (d) 11-50%

we know, on decreasing the volume of the gas phase reaction the reaction moves to the product side.

the reaction:                     so₂cl₂ (g) = so₂ (g) + cl₂ (g)         total

the moles at equilibrium:   1 - α                 α               α           = 1+α

concentrations:                   1 - α               α               α           = 1 + α

(concentration = moles/volume, as volume is 1 l)

(where α is the degree of dissociation)

now the dissociation constant in terms of concentration is :

=  

or,

or,   = (at v = 1l)

the reaction:                     so₂cl₂ (g) = so₂ (g) + cl₂ (g)         total

the moles at equilibrium:   1 - α                 α               α           = 1+α

concentrations:               (1 - α)/0.5           α/0.5         α/0.5       = (1 + α)/0.5

thus, the dissociation constant in terms of concentration is :

or,  

=  

so, the change of 1 : 1/0.5

or, 1: 2

thus it will decrease by 50%.

or, as per the given options it will decrease by 11-50%

the answers would be

the first one and the second one