If a specific reversible chemical reaction possesses an activation energy for the forward reaction (

Question

If a specific reversible chemical reaction possesses an activation energy for the forward reaction ($E_{a,f}$) that is equal to the activation energy for the reverse reaction ($E_{a,b}$), it means that

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

(c) : The overall enthalpy change ($\Delta H$) of any chemical reaction is thermodynamically defined as the difference between the activation energies of the forward and backward pathways: $\Delta H = E_{a,f} - E_{a,b}$. If $E_{a,f}$ is mathematically equal to $E_{a,b}$, their difference is strictly zero. Therefore, $\Delta H = 0$, classifying the reaction as perfectly thermoneutral.