Chapter 20, Problem 7RQ

Which reactant molecules are the first to pass over the energy barrier?

To determine

The reactant molecules which will first to pass over the energy barrier.

Answer to Problem 7RQ

The molecules having high kinetic energy will first to pass over the energy barrier.

Explanation of Solution

The process of the conversion of reactant species into the product species is called a chemical reaction.

The reactant species are continuously in random motion (collisions) during a reaction. The collisions of reacting molecules must have;

1) The proper orientation of the reacting molecules.

2) A sufficient amount of energy to overcome the amount of activation energy.

Only the collisions which satisfy the above condition will form the product molecules and rest all collisions are wasted.

The reactant molecules that have a high amount of kinetic energy can collide more efficiently and can easily pass the energy barrier to get converted into the product molecules.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the molecules having high kinetic energy will first to pass over the energy barrier