Question

explosive reactions have a high activation energy and explosive substances can be safely stored for years. the potential energy diagram for these reactions is given by

Explanation:

1. For explosive reactions, they are exothermic (release energy, so products have lower potential energy than reactants) and have high activation energy (\(E_a\)).
2. Analyze each diagram:

• First diagram: Shows \(E_a(\text{fwd})\), \(E_a(\text{rev})\), and \(\Delta_n H\) (exothermic as products lower). Also has high \(E_a\) (since explosive needs high activation to be stable).
• Second diagram: Incorrectly labels \(\Delta_n H\) as equal to \(E_a\) in a wrong way.
• Third diagram: Products have higher PE (endothermic), not explosive (explosive is exothermic).
• Fourth diagram: Missing reverse activation energy label and doesn't show the correct relationship for explosive (needs to show high \(E_a\) and exothermic).
• So the first diagram (with \(E_a(\text{fwd})\), \(E_a(\text{rev})\), and \(\Delta_n H\) showing exothermic and high \(E_a\)) is correct.

Answer:

The first potential energy diagram (the one with \(E_a(\text{fwd})\), \(E_a(\text{rev})\), and \(\Delta_n H\) labeled, where reactants are at higher PE than products and a large activation energy peak)