Question

Explain the difference between the spontaneity of a reaction (which depends on thermodynamics) and the speed at which the reaction occurs (which depends on kinetics). can a catalyst make a nonspontaneous reaction spontaneous?

Answer 1

Spontaneity of a reaction, in thermodynamics, is the extent and the direction of the chemical reaction proceeding. Kinetics describe the speed of the reaction or how fast a reaction occurs. A particular reaction can be spontaneous thermodynamically but it is slow in terms of kinetics at a certain temperature. For instance, we have the conversion of graphite from diamond. It is a spontaneous process in terms of thermodynamics. But these diamonds would not turn into graphite anytime soon because this process is very slow. The rate of this process can be increased using a catalyst. However, a catalyst cannot make a spontaneous process be a spontaneous one as it only affect the rate of the reaction.