Chemistry 12 · Chemistry · Lesson 1.4
Potential energy diagrams: activation energy and the activated complex
- Level
- Grade 12
- Reading time
- 13 min reading
- Review
- Last reviewed 2026-09-03
- Standard
- Accuracy standard
- Errata
Abstract
Activation energy, activated complex and energy change.
Concept preview
What you will be able to do
- 01Interpret a potential energy diagram
- 02Identify the activation energy, activated complex and ΔH
- 03Compare forward and reverse activation energies and show the effect of a catalyst
A potential energy diagram is a graph that follows the energy of the particles as a reaction proceeds. The horizontal axis is the reaction progress (from reactants on the left to products on the right), and the vertical axis is potential energy. The reactants begin at one energy, the curve rises to a peak, and then it falls to the energy of the products. This single picture captures both the energetics and the kinetics of a reaction.
School Plan
Potential energy diagrams: activation energy and the activated complex
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