(1) • Balanced Equation : 2HgO (s) ---> 2 Hg (l) + O₂ (g)
• Line a is represented by activation energy, or the smallest amount of energy needed for molecules to undergo a chemical reaction.
• Activated complex is the intermediate state during the conversion of reactants into products. In this case it is represented by Hg----O-----O----Hg. The dashed lines indicate that the bond between Hg and O are breaking and their length is increasing and the dashed line between oxygen atoms indicate that the bond is decreasing and bond formation is taking place.
• This reaction is endothermic as the energy of reactants is smaller than the energy of products.
(2) • Balanced Equation : CH₃Br + OH⁻ ---> CH₃OH + Br⁻
• The hydroxide ion reacts with the bromomethane, resulting in a double replacement reaction. The 'CH₃' in 'CH₃Br' joins with the hydroxide ion to form CH₃OH, while the Br breaks off as an ion.
• Take a look at the energy diagram below.