If a reaction requires a high activation energy what is it likely to do?

Question

If a reaction requires a high activation energy what is it likely to do?

Answer 1

Wait for the high activation energy to arrive.

Answer 2

The activation energy of a reaction is not specifically related to the energy yield. Activation energy is the energy required to break the chemical bonds of the reagent chemicals. Energy yield is a result of energy released when the reagents' free atoms recombine to form the reaction products.

Advanced high school chemistry and intermediate college chemistry classes are full of examples where high activation energy is relatively independent of overall energy yield.



Here's an example - the activation energy for the explosion of nitroglycerin is quite low, whereas mixing the nitro with diatomaceous earth raises the activation energy because each nitro molecule is then farther from its neighbors on the average. On the other hand, the explosive yield from the same amount of nitro is the same whether or not it has been mixed with diatomaceous earth and pressed into dynamite sticks.

Answer 3

It will likely cost more than it is worth, either in money or by polluting our planet



P.S. Paris, when I see you I want to explode. Loved your video.