how does the proportion of molecules with an energy equal to hihger activation energry between two curves
The proportion of molecules with an energy equal to or higher than the activation energy between two curves can be determined by comparing the areas under the curves representing the distribution of molecular energies.
The activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. In a system, there will be a distribution of molecular energies, with some molecules having energy equal to or higher than the activation energy, while others have lower energy.
To compare the proportion of molecules with energy equal to or higher than the activation energy between two curves, you need to determine the area under each curve in the relevant energy range. The area under each curve represents the proportion or percentage of molecules within that energy range.
If you have two curves representing the distribution of molecular energies, one for a reaction with a higher activation energy and another for a reaction with a lower activation energy, compare the areas under the curves from the activation energy value to the maximum energy values.
The curve with the higher activation energy will typically have a smaller area under it since fewer molecules would possess the energy required for the reaction. Conversely, the curve with the lower activation energy will have a larger area under it, indicating a higher proportion of molecules capable of undergoing the reaction.
By comparing the proportions or percentages of molecules with energy equal to or higher than the activation energy between the curves, you can determine the relative likelihood or ease of the two reactions occurring.
To compare the proportion of molecules with an energy equal to or higher than the activation energy between two curves, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the two curves representing the energy distribution of molecules.
2. Determine the activation energy for the reaction you are analyzing. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to occur.
3. Find the point on each curve that corresponds to the activation energy. This point represents the minimum energy required for molecules to react.
4. Calculate the area under each curve beyond the activation energy point. This can be done by integrating the curve function or approximating the area using numerical methods.
5. Compare the calculated areas of the two curves. The larger the area beyond the activation energy point, the higher the proportion of molecules with sufficient energy to react.
By following these steps, you can determine the proportion of molecules with an energy equal to or higher than the activation energy between two curves representing energy distributions.