Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Reaction X has a forward activation energy of and . Reaction Y has a forward activation energy of and . Find the activation energy of the reverse reaction for each. Which reaction has the faster forward step, if both have the same and the same temperature?
The share of molecules with enough energy is . The rate constant is , so . For the energy profile, , where is the barrier of the reverse reaction.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Reaction X. It is endothermic. . The products are higher than the reactants, so the way back is shorter.
Step 2. Reaction Y. It is exothermic. . The products are lower, so the way back is longer.
Step 3. The faster forward step. Y has the lower forward barrier, against . With the same and , is larger for Y, so Y is faster.
Check. The difference between the barriers of each reaction should equal its . For X, . For Y, . Both agree.
Answer: for X and for Y. Reaction Y has the faster forward step.
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