Question

multiple choice 2 points
provide an energy profile diagram for an exothermic one - step reaction and label the reactants, products, transition states, activation energies (eₐ), and δg°, if applicable.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand exothermic reaction

In an exothermic one - step reaction, the energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants.

Step2: Analyze energy profile

The first diagram shows reactants at a higher energy level, a transition state at the peak, activation energy ($E_a$) as the energy difference between reactants and transition state, and products at a lower energy level with a negative $\Delta G^{\circ}$ (difference in energy between reactants and products). The second diagram has no $\Delta G^{\circ}$ label and does not clearly show the energy relationship between reactants and products for an exothermic reaction.

Answer:

The first diagram is correct.