AP®︎ Chemistry: Topic 5.10 Flashcards

Master key terms and definitions for Topic 5.10 of AP Chemistry – Multistep Reaction Energy Profile to help you prep for quizzes and the AP exam.

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Term

Reaction Energy Profile

Definition

A graph of potential energy versus reaction progress showing barriers and overall energy change.

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Reaction Energy Profile
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A graph of potential energy versus reaction progress showing barriers and overall energy change.

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Multistep Reaction
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A reaction that occurs through two or more elementary steps instead of one collision.

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Elementary Reaction
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A single mechanistic step with its own reactants, products, and activation energy.

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Activation Energy
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The energy difference between a species and the next transition state peak.

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Overall Energy Change
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The potential energy difference between products and reactants, often written as ΔE or ΔH.

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Transition State / Activated Complex
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A highest-energy, unstable arrangement of atoms at the top of an energy barrier.

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Reaction Coordinate
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The x-axis path showing progress from reactants through intermediates to products.

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Potential Energy
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The y-axis quantity showing the relative energy of reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products.

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Reaction Intermediates
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Species formed in one step and consumed in a later step, appearing as valleys between peaks.

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Constructing a Multistep Reaction Energy Profile
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Plot reactants, add peaks for each step, valleys for intermediates, then label each Ea and total ΔE.

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Rate-Determining Step on an Energy Profile
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The slowest step, identified by the largest activation energy barrier between adjacent minima and maxima.

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Exothermic Reaction Energy Profile
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A profile where products are lower in potential energy than reactants.

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Endothermic Reaction Energy Profile
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A profile where products are higher in potential energy than reactants.

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