Reaction coordinate diagram

A reaction coordinate diagram visualizes the energy changes that occur during a chemical reaction. It shows how reactants transform into products by plotting energy on the vertical axis and the reaction progress on the horizontal axis. The diagram typically features peaks called activation energies, representing the highest energy points the reactants must reach to convert into products, often passing through intermediate states. This helps in understanding the energy barriers and overall feasibility of the reaction. The lower the activation energy, the faster the reaction tends to proceed. Overall, it’s a useful tool for understanding reaction mechanisms and energy requirements.