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The activation energy diagram is drawn as a hill because there is a large amount of energy needed to form the unstable transition state (viewed as the upward slope on the diagram). The difference between this peak energy and the rectants' energy is the activation energy. When this state decomposes in to more stable products (which are more stable than the reactants), the energy of the molecules is lower, thus the downward slope after the peak.

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Activation energy is the energy at the potential barrier between the two fields with low energy (at left and at right) representing the sum of energies of reactants and products; the reaction is possible if the activation energy can exceed this barrier. And in a graphic this is the pic of a hill.

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11y ago
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14y ago

It's used as an analogy. Chemical reactions all have an energy "threshold" to "get going." This "hill" must be overcome for the reaction to occur.

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Q: Why is the activation energy pictured as a hill in two diagrams?
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Related questions

How does an enzyme catalyze a chemical reaction in regards to activation energy?

Any catalyst will make a chemical reaction easier or quicker to happen by lowering the activation energy. On a energy diagram, you will see a lower "hill" for activation energy, which corresponds to less energy required to begin the reaction.


Which has the highest activation energy?

A reaction with a higher activation energy requires more energy to initiate the reaction. In general, reactions involving the breaking of strong chemical bonds have higher activation energies compared to reactions involving weaker bonds.


Which analogy can best be likened to the activation energy of a chemical reaction?

a hill over which the wagon is pushed. - novanet


What does energy hill diagram represents?

An energy hill diagram represents the energy changes that occur during a chemical reaction. It visually shows the difference in energy between reactants and products, with the peak representing the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.


Reactants and products in an energy diagram?

Activation energy is the distance from the reactants to the top of the "hill."


Activation energy is the energy required to do what?

For the substance(s) to react


What occur in a chemical reaction and why are chemical reaction important?

This is the energy needed to get us from our starting point to the top of the hill would be the activation enery


When you Reduce activation energy what happens?

Reducing activation energy allows chemical reactions in the cells of living things to occur at temperatures at which the cells can survive. Reducing activation energy is carried out by enzyme catalysts. The enzyme catalysts are not used up in the reaction, and can be used in subsequent chemical reactions.


What is an example of how to supply activation energy to begin a reaction?

One example of supplying activation energy to start a reaction is by heating a mixture of reactants to increase the kinetic energy of their molecules, aiding in overcoming the energy barrier for the reaction to occur. Another way is to use a catalyst, which provides an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy, allowing the reaction to proceed more easily.


Why is a rock on the top of a hill kinetic energy?

A rock on top of a hill has potential energy, not kinetic energy. If it starts rolling down the hill then the potential energy transforms to kinetic energy.


What energy does a skier has at the top of a hill and coming down a hill?

At the top of a hill, a skier has mostly potential energy due to their elevated position. As they ski down the hill, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as they gain speed.


Energy stored in a bicycle at the top of a hill?

The energy stored in a bicycle at the top of a hill is potential energy, which is due to its position relative to the ground. This potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy as the bike descends the hill and gains speed.