Kinetic or Thermodynamic Stability: What's the Difference?

In summary, if a reaction is thermodynamically favored, it may still not occur due to the high activation energy. This is due to the products of the reaction having less energy than the activation energy.
  • #1
Oxygenne
51
0
I have problem understanding
what does mean when we talk about kinetic and thermodynamic stability of an oxide?
Which process is related to the kinetic and which to the thermodynamically stability?
Thank you!
 
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  • #2
At a certain temperature, the activation energy of a particular reaction or set of reactions in general of the oxide may be high, it is kinetically stable in that sense. The products of those reactions though, may be more stable in relevance to thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and free energy of the reaction (not the free energy of activation).

I don't have much experience with oxides besides, time of flight. Certain oxide/metal compositions are more stable than others, and this was based on a quantum level explanation, I'll need to find the link, just don't remember at the moment.

Stability is a rather vague concept because it's related to so many factors, but I'm guessing your question is in reference to an organic chemistry course or perhaps a particular physical chemistry lab assignment. Nitrogen is stable at room temperature in air, place it in a different context such as with different reactants and its stability is compromised.
 
  • #3
Thank you!
 
  • #4
So if a reaction that is thermodynamically favored may not occur due to it not being kinetically favored? For example if the activation energy is very high, then the reaction will not be observed even though the enthalpy of reaction and change in energy of the reaction is negative (products have less energy)?
 
  • #5
dissolver said:
So if a reaction that is thermodynamically favored may not occur due to it not being kinetically favored? For example if the activation energy is very high, then the reaction will not be observed even though the enthalpy of reaction and change in energy of the reaction is negative (products have less energy)?
Correct; consider the conversion of diamond to graphite at STP, (for example...)
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1. What is the difference between kinetic and thermodynamic?

Kinetic refers to the energy of motion, while thermodynamic refers to the study of energy and its transformations in a system.

2. How are kinetic and thermodynamic related?

Kinetic energy is a type of energy that falls under the broader category of thermodynamic energy. In other words, kinetic energy is a specific form of thermodynamic energy.

3. Which one is more important in science, kinetic or thermodynamic?

Both kinetic and thermodynamic are important concepts in science. They are often used together to explain different processes and behaviors in the physical world.

4. Can you give an example of kinetic and thermodynamic in action?

An example of kinetic energy is the movement of a roller coaster on its tracks. An example of thermodynamic energy is the heat produced by a fire.

5. How do kinetic and thermodynamic affect chemical reactions?

In chemical reactions, kinetic energy is responsible for the rate at which the reaction occurs, while thermodynamic energy is responsible for the overall energy change in the reaction. Both are important in understanding and predicting the behavior of chemical reactions.

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