Practice question · Multiple choice
Predicting whether a reaction goes needs both thermodynamics and kinetics. Why is neither sufficient alone?
Hints
- Ask why diamond does not turn into graphite on your finger.
- One theory answers "will it?" and the other answers "when?"
Show the answer
D. Because one says whether it is favoured, the other whether it can
Why
Favourable and fast are independent. A reaction can be strongly downhill and effectively frozen, which is exactly why catalysts matter, they change only the second question.
Practise Integrated chemical reasoning
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