Chapter 6, Problem 6.8YT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

In the figure, $\text{6}\text{.2b}$ it is to be determined whether the distance between $\text{Cl}$ and $\text{H}$ increases or decreases and whether and the distance between the O-H and $\text{H}$ increases or decreases as the reaction co-ordinate increases.

Concept introduction:

As the reaction coordinate increases, the geometries of the species involved in the reaction increasingly resemble those of the products.

In a reaction free energy diagram, Gibbs free energy is plotted as a function of the reaction coordinate. A reaction coordinate is a variable that corresponds to the changes in geometry, on a molecular level, as reactants are converted into products.