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student34
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Homework Statement
For a reaction that is exothermic in the forward direction, can the activation energy Ea(fwd) ever be less than the enthalpy change?
Homework Equations
Endothermic equation: Ea(rev) = Ea(fwd) - deltarH
The Attempt at a Solution
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The answer in the book has "yes", but I don't know how this can be true.
Since it's an exothermic reaction, deltarH is negative. And as far as I know, the forward activation energy must be positive. Is it possible that the book meant magnitude? If so, then I could understand why they gave that answer.