Which concept is commonly illustrated using energy diagrams to explain activation energy and how chemical reactions proceed?

• A. Reaction coordinate
• B. Electronegativity
• C. Molarity
• D. Atomic radius

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that energy diagrams are graphical representations used to visualize the energy changes during a chemical reaction.
2. Recognize that these diagrams typically plot the potential energy of the system against the progress of the reaction, often called the reaction coordinate.
3. Identify that the reaction coordinate represents the pathway from reactants to products, showing the energy barrier (activation energy) that must be overcome for the reaction to proceed.
4. Note that concepts like electronegativity, molarity, and atomic radius are important in chemistry but are not typically illustrated using energy diagrams related to activation energy.
5. Conclude that the concept commonly illustrated using energy diagrams to explain activation energy and how chemical reactions proceed is the reaction coordinate.