The decomposition of carbon dioxide, CO2 ⟶CO+O has an activation energy of approximately 460 kJ

step 1 In this question we're going to be looking into the activation energy EA. So this is the minimum

The decomposition of carbon dioxide, CO2 ⟶CO+O has an...

The decomposition of carbon dioxide, $\mathrm{CO}_{2} \longrightarrow \mathrm{CO}+\mathrm{O}$ has an activation energy of approximately $460 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$. Explain why this large value is consistent with a mechanism that involves the breaking of $\mathrm{a} \mathrm{C}=\mathrm{O}$ bond.

Key Concepts

Reaction Mechanism

The reaction mechanism outlines the step-by-step process by which reactants transform into products. In this case, the proposed mechanism involves the breaking of a C=O bond in carbon dioxide, and the associated energy barrier with that bond-breaking step is reflected in the high activation energy of the reaction.

Carbon-oxygen Double Bond

A carbon-oxygen double bond (C=O) is characterized by its strong bonding due to the sharing of two pairs of electrons between carbon and oxygen. The strength of this bond is reflected in its high bond dissociation energy, implying that any reaction mechanism that requires breaking this bond will necessitate a significant energy input, consistent with the observed high activation energy.

Bond Dissociation Energy

Bond dissociation energy is the amount of energy needed to break a particular bond in a molecule. A high value for bond dissociation energy, like that of a carbon-oxygen double bond, means that the bond is very strong and requires a considerable input of energy to break, in turn leading to a high activation energy for reactions that involve cleaving that bond.

Activation Energy

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for reactants to reach the transition state and be converted into products. In any chemical reaction, a high activation energy indicates that a significant energy barrier must be overcome, which is consistent with reactions involving the breaking of strong chemical bonds.

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