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IB Chemistry SL 2.2.4 Activation Energy Ea Questions

Use real SL exam distributions to identify activation energy and explain how temperature changes the reacting fraction.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Identify activation energy as the minimum energy barrier for the forward or reverse reaction on an energy profile or distribution.
  • Interpret or sketch Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions at different temperatures, showing the shift in kinetic-energy distribution.
  • Use the area beyond Ea and relative curve positions to explain how temperature changes the fraction of particles able to react.

Learn this topic

Study 2.2.4—Activation energy (Ea) conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Chemistry SL 2.2.4 Activation Energy Ea Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Phenylethene (styrene) is produced from ethylbenzene in a gas-phase equilibrium.

Figure for Question IB Chemistry SL 2.2.4 Activation Energy Ea Questions question 1 — IB Chemistry SL

Question (a)

(a)

Sketch the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve for 298 K on the same axes as the 900 K curve.

Figure for Question (a) — IB Chemistry SL
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Question (b)

(b)

Annotate the graph to show the activation energy, EaE_{\mathrm{a}}.

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