Reverse Rxn
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Reverse Rxn
Would reversing the reaction make the delta H-value the opposite sign? If so, why is that chemically happening?
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- Posts: 54
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Re: Reverse Rxn
Yes, it would. I guess one way to look at it is if delta H for the forward reaction is positive, then that means that the reaction is endothermic. If you want the reverse reaction, the forward reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings while the reverse reaction releases heat to the surroundings, so then you would have to consider the change in the reaction being endothermic vs exothermic depending on which way you go. If the reactants have a lower energy than the products, that means that the reaction is endothermic and requires energy. However, once you switch them, and go from products to reactants, you're now going from a high energy level to a lower energy level, but the delta H value is still the same, it's simply the negative of the forward reaction.
Sorry if that was a lot of confusing words lol.
Sorry if that was a lot of confusing words lol.
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- Posts: 45
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:39 am
Re: Reverse Rxn
Hi! To add on, I think looking at the charts from class helps a lot. In the graph, the delta H is the difference in energy between the reactants and the products. If this is endothermic, the product is at a higher level of energy. So, when reversing the reaction, the reactants and the products flip places, meaning that the new reactant how starts with higher energy, while the products have lower energy. This releases the same amount of energy that the first reaction took in. Hope this helped!
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