If the forward reaction is exothermic, why is the reverse reaction endothermic?
1 Answer
Apr 24, 2017
Because, by necessity, the backward rate of activation is equal to the FORWARD activation energy PLUS the ENERGY RELEASED by the exothermic reaction.........
Explanation:
This is best illustrated by interrogating the diagram.......
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The forward rxn (left to right as you face it) was clearly EXOTHERMIC. To go from right to left, we have to input energy into the system: the energy that was released from the forward reaction PLUS the original energy of activation. I think it is fairly clear from such a graph as to the energy requirements of the reaction.
