Surface: Ea(kj/mol):
Tungsten 248
Platinum 331
Copper 204
A decomposition reaction was studied on three different surfaces. The activation energy on each surface is shown in the table. Which surface represents the best heterogeneous catalyst if the activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction is 452 kJ/mol?
a. Copper
b. Tungsten
c. Uncatalyzed
d. Platinum
copper
To determine the best heterogeneous catalyst, we need to compare the activation energy values of the catalysts to that of the uncatalyzed reaction.
The lower the activation energy, the more effective the catalyst is at reducing the energy barrier for the reaction.
Given that the activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction is 452 kJ/mol, let's compare it to the activation energy values on each surface:
- Tungsten: The activation energy on Tungsten is 248 kJ/mol.
- Platinum: The activation energy on Platinum is 331 kJ/mol.
- Copper: The activation energy on Copper is 204 kJ/mol.
Comparing these values, we can see that the activation energy on the Copper surface (204 kJ/mol) is the lowest among the three options. Therefore, the answer is:
a. Copper
To determine the best heterogeneous catalyst, we need to compare the activation energies of the catalyzed reactions with the activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction (452 kJ/mol).
In this case, the lower the activation energy, the more effective the catalyst is in lowering the energy barrier for the reaction to proceed.
Comparing the activation energies given in the table:
- Tungsten: Ea = 248 kJ/mol
- Platinum: Ea = 331 kJ/mol
- Copper: Ea = 204 kJ/mol
To determine which surface represents the best heterogeneous catalyst, we need to find the catalyst with the activation energy closest to the uncatalyzed reaction (452 kJ/mol).
Comparing the activation energies to 452 kJ/mol:
- The activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction (452 kJ/mol) is higher than the activation energy of copper (204 kJ/mol). Therefore, copper is a better catalyst than the uncatalyzed reaction.
- The activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction (452 kJ/mol) is higher than the activation energy of tungsten (248 kJ/mol). Therefore, tungsten is a better catalyst than the uncatalyzed reaction.
- The activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction (452 kJ/mol) is lower than the activation energy of platinum (331 kJ/mol). Therefore, platinum is not a better catalyst than the uncatalyzed reaction.
The surface that represents the best heterogeneous catalyst from the given options is:
a. Copper