🔬 Examining the Energy Profile: Putting It All Together

The energy profile diagram is the single most important diagram for this dot point. It shows both the activation energies and the heat of reaction on one graph, and allows you to predict how temperature affects equilibrium.

From this diagram you can read everything you need: the forward Eₐ is larger than the reverse Eₐ, and the difference equals ΔH. When temperature rises, more particles exceed the higher Eₐ (forward) proportionally, so the forward rate increases more, and equilibrium shifts right.

💡 Exam Tip: Drawing Energy Profiles

When asked to draw an energy profile in an exam: (1) Draw axes (Energy vs Reaction Progress). (2) Draw the reactant energy level on the left. (3) Draw the product energy level on the right (higher for endothermic, lower for exothermic). (4) Draw the transition state hump above both. (5) Label Eₐ(forward), Eₐ(reverse), and ΔH. (6) Clearly show which Eₐ is larger. If adding a catalyst, draw a second lower hump and label it "catalysed pathway."