---
title: "A materials scientist studies the hypothetical gas-phase conversion \\(\\text{R(g)} \\rightarrow \\text{P(g)}\\) in an exhaust-treatment prototype. The reaction-coordinate diagram for the uncatalyzed pathway is shown.  The scientist adds a solid catalyst that provides an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy. The chemical identities and states of the reactant and product remain unchanged. Which set of relative potential energies could represent the catalyzed pathway?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119474/"
date_modified: "2026-08-19T12:40:36+00:00"
---

# A materials scientist studies the hypothetical gas-phase conversion \(\text{R(g)} \rightarrow \text{P(g)}\) in an exhaust-treatment prototype. The reaction-coordinate diagram for the uncatalyzed pathway is shown.

The scientist adds a solid catalyst that provides an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy. The chemical identities and states of the reactant and product remain unchanged. Which set of relative potential energies could represent the catalyzed pathway?

A materials scientist studies the hypothetical gas-phase conversion \(\text{R(g)} \rightarrow \text{P(g)}\) in an exhaust-treatment prototype. The reaction-coordinate diagram for the uncatalyzed pathway is shown.

The scientist adds a solid catalyst that provides an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy. The chemical identities and states of the reactant and product remain unchanged. Which set of relative potential energies could represent the catalyzed pathway?

![Create a grayscale reaction-coordinate graph on a white background. Label the vertical axis “Relative potential energy (units)” and include labeled ticks with light horizontal gridlines at exactly 20, 60, and 160. Label the horizontal axis “Reaction progress” and include no numerical ticks. Plot one solid black curve that begins on a short horizontal plateau at 60, rises smoothly to a single maximum at 160 near the midpoint, and then descends smoothly to a short horizontal plateau at 20. Place “Reactants” beside the initial plateau, “Transition state” above the maximum, and “Products” beside the final plateau. Draw a vertical double-headed arrow from 60 to 160 labeled \(E_a\). Draw a downward vertical arrow from 60 to 20 labeled \(\Delta H=-40\text{ units}\). Use no legend because only one curve appears. No other lines, labels, text, or annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787143236-fIK8jf.jpg)

- **A.** Reactants: \(60\) units; highest point: \(120\) units; products: \(60\) units
- **B.** Reactants: \(60\) units; highest point: \(160\) units; products: \(20\) units
- **C.** Reactants: \(60\) units; highest point: \(200\) units; products: \(20\) units
- **D.** Reactants: \(60\) units; highest point: \(120\) units; products: \(20\) units

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119474/*