Question

Does free energy affect the reaction rate?

Answer 1

No.

Explanation:

For every chemical reaction, there are two domains:

• Domain of thermodynamics : Determines in which direction the reaction will happen spontaneously.
• Domain of kinetics : Determines the reaction pathway. Shorter pathway will lead to a faster reaction.
  
  `color(grey)("Image source: Zumdahl textbook")`

The free energy (`DeltaG`) is a thermodynamic factor, however, the reaction rate (`R`) is a kinetic factor, and therefore, they are independent of each other.