A certain elementary reaction proceeds along a reaction coordinate such that the potential energy of the reactants is 50 kJ mol−1, the potential energy of the transition state is 120 kJ mol−1, and the potential energy of the products is 20 kJ mol−1. Assume the energy axis is vertical (in kJ mol−1) and the reaction coordinate is horizontal.
Answer the following questions about the energy profile that would represent this reaction.
(a) Describe the location of the activation energy and the overall energy change on a properly labeled reaction energy profile for this process.
(b) State whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic and justify your answer using the given energy values.
(c) Qualitatively explain how the appearance of the energy profile would change if a homogeneous catalyst were introduced, and identify which quantity (activation energy or overall energy change) would be affected.