If the forward reaction is exothermic, why is the reverse reaction endothermic?

Answer 1

Because, by necessity, the backward rate of activation is equal to the FORWARD activation energy PLUS the ENERGY RELEASED by the exothermic reaction.........

This is best illustrated by interrogating the diagram.......

The forward rxn (left to right as you face it) was clearly EXOTHERMIC. To go from right to left, we have to input energy into the system: the energy that was released from the forward reaction PLUS the original energy of activation. I think it is fairly clear from such a graph as to the energy requirements of the reaction.

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Answer 2

Mateo Aguilar

The reverse reaction is endothermic because the energy needed to break the bonds in the products is greater than the energy released during the forward, exothermic reaction.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.