1. This energy diagram is for the thermal decomposition of solid mercury (II) oxide (also known as mercuric oxide) into liquid mercury and oxygen gas.
• Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
• Explain what feature is shown by the arrow labeled (a).
• Using chemical symbols and dashed lines (this can be done with type), draw what the activated complex or transition state might look like.
• Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic? Explain.