Endothermic and exothermic reactions

Although this topic focuses on rate of reaction rather than energy it is important the studenst understand how activation energy is represented on an energy level diagram for endothermic and exothermic reactions. One approach uses concept cartoons 

Why do chemical reactions happen?

This AFL resources is designed to support the teacher in explaining to students why reactions happen. It provides practical ideas as well as a commentary for the teacher to use alongside the activities.

Low activation energy 

In this video Peter Wothers demonstrates the reaction of nitrogen triiodide which has a such a low activation energy it explodes on contact.

Investigating activation energies

In this article Post-16 students are challegned to design and carry out an investigation to compare the activitation energies of the enzyme catalysed and the inorganic cataysed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.