How does activation energy affect a chemical reaction ?

a. it increases the energy of the reactants

b. it determines how difficult it is to start the reaction

c. it determines how much product can form

d. it decreases the energy of the products

Option (B) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to start or initiate a chemical reaction.

More is the activation energy more difficult is it for the reactants to participate in reaction.

Whereas a catalyst helps in increasing the rate of a reaction by increasing the energy of reactant molecules so that they can cross the activation energy barrier and therefore, formation of products become faster.

Thus, we can conclude that activation energy affect a chemical reaction as it determines how difficult it is to start the reaction.