Science Common Sense

1764 - What is a reaction energy diagram?

A reaction energy diagram is a graph that helps us understand how energy changes during a chemical reaction.

Imagine you're climbing a hill. The hill is like the energy needed for the reaction to happen.

Here's what the diagram shows:

1. The starting point (at the bottom) is the energy level of the reactants.
2. The hill (or the curve) represents the energy needed for the reaction to happen.
3. The top of the hill is the highest energy point, called the "transition state" or "energy barrier". This is the point where the reaction is most difficult to happen.
4. The ending point (at the bottom again) is the energy level of the products.

By looking at this diagram, you can see:

• How much energy is needed to start the reaction
• How difficult the reaction is to happen (the height of the hill)
• If the reaction will release or absorb energy when it's finished

It's like a map to help us visualize and understand the energy changes in a chemical reaction.