Given the following information about two reactions, which one will occur at the faster rate at a common temperature?
Reaction ΔH^o_{rxn} E_a
A → X –120 kJ mole^{−1} +100 kJ mole^{−1}
B → Y –100 kJ mole^{−1} +120 kJ mole^{−1}
The reaction converting A to X has the lower activation energy (E_a), so it proceeds at the faster rate.