Re:Microbes in cow stomachs can break down plastic
by ABCLAW on Sunday July 04, 2021 @01:30AM
(#27727451)
>Why is a molecules with high energy density so difficult to break down?
Generally, even if a given reaction is energetically favourable, if the activation energy or enabling conditions for the reaction to occur are high/rare respectively, then the rate of the energetically favourable reaction will be slow.
It's like water in a cup; sure it would prefer to be on the ground, but absent something tipping the cup over, it'll stay inside the current local energy minima without any complaints.
Generally, even if a given reaction is energetically favourable, if the activation energy or enabling conditions for the reaction to occur are high/rare respectively, then the rate of the energetically favourable reaction will be slow.
It's like water in a cup; sure it would prefer to be on the ground, but absent something tipping the cup over, it'll stay inside the current local energy minima without any complaints.