Textbook Problem

Which of the following reactions would you expect to proceed at a faster rate at room temperature? Why? (Hint: Think about which reaction would have the lower activation energy.)

$\begin{array}{l}2{\text{Ce}}^{4+}\left(aq\right)+{\text{Hg}}_2{}^{2+}\left(aq\right)\to 2{\text{Ce}}^{3+}\left(aq\right)+2{\text{Hg}}^{2+}\left(aq\right)\\ {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\text{OH}}^{-}\left(aq\right)\to 2{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\left(l\right)\end{array}$