Question

magnesium oxide does not readily decompose into magnesium and oxygen. the reaction is shown below.
mgo(s) + 601.7 kj → mg(s) + ½o₂(g)
which factor plays the most important role in allowing this reaction to occur?
temperature
concentration
pressure
surface area

Explanation:

The reaction \( \text{MgO}(\text{s}) + 601.7\ \text{kJ}
ightarrow \text{Mg}(\text{s}) + \frac{1}{2}\text{O}_2(\text{g}) \) is endothermic (requires energy, shown by energy as a reactant). Endothermic reactions often need heat (temperature increase) to proceed, as heat provides the required energy. Concentration affects reactions with dissolved species, pressure affects gas - volume - related reactions (here, the solid - to - solid - and - gas change’s pressure impact is less critical), and surface area affects reaction rate of solids but not the feasibility of this energy - requiring decomposition as much as temperature. So temperature is the most important factor.

Answer:

A. temperature