Chapter Six Concepts

Question 1

For a bond to break, the electrons in the bonding molecular orbitals must receive energy from the surrounding molecules. What do we call this exchange of energy?

Answer 1

Enthalpy

Question 2

For that bond breaking reaction to occur, enthalpy is primarily determined by how much energy it needs to break the bonds homolytically. What does that generate? And what are they called? What can it also produce?

Answer 2

It produces 2 uncharged species called radicals. But if it produces two charged ions, it went through a heterolytic bond cleavage.

Question 3

What do we call that change in enthalpy for the reaction?

Answer 3

Heat of reaction

Question 4

What speeds up the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed by the reaction? Serves as an alternative pathway with a small activation energy?

Answer 4

A Catalyst