For the reaction $N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3(g)$:
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 15 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 15
For the reaction $N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3(g)$:
A. a catalyst increases the number of collisions between the reactants.
B. the rate of the forward ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:For the reaction $N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3(g)$:
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 15 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. a catalyst increases the number of collisions between the reactants.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect as catalysts do not increase the collision rate directly; they provide an alternative pathway for the reaction to proceed.
Step 2
B. the rate of the forward reaction increases when the temperature increases.
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Answer
This statement is generally true, as higher temperatures typically increase reaction rates due to increased kinetic energy of the molecules.
Step 3
C. a catalyst reduces the activation energy of the forward and backward reactions by the same proportion.
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Answer
This statement is correct; a catalyst lowers the activation energy for both the forward and reverse reactions equally.
Step 4
D. the activation energy of the forward reaction is greater than the activation energy of the reverse reaction.
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Answer
This statement is typically false unless the reaction is highly exothermic. In most cases, a catalyst lowers the activation energy for both processes, not one over the other.
