Chemical Kinetics Ques 55
55. In a reversible reaction the energy of activation of the forward reaction is $50 kcal$. The energy of activation for the reverse reaction will be
[1996]
(a) $<50 kcal$
(b) either greater than or less than $50 kcal$
(c) $50 kcal$
(d) $>50 kcal$
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Answer:
Correct Answer: 55.(b)
Solution:
(b) $\Delta H=E _{a(f)}-E _{a(b)}$
Thus, energy of activation for reverse reaction depend upon whether reaction is exothermic or endothermic
If reaction is exothermic,
$\Delta H=-ve \quad E _{a(b)}>E _{a(f)}$
If reaction is endothermic
$\Delta H=+ve E _{a(b)}<E _{a(f)}$