Question

Which of the following is/are ALWAYS true concerning collision and transition state theory?

I) Transition states are short-lived.
II) A balanced reaction shows which species must collide for the reaction to occur.
III) Intermediates are short-lived.

Answer 1

1) Transition states are short-lived

Step-by-step explanation:

Transition state theory explains the rates of elementary chemical reactions. It assumes a quasi-equilibrium between reactants and activated transition state complexes.

The following are the characteristics of transition states

• Instability
• Ill-defined
• High energy
• short-lived

The species that must collide for the reaction to occur are shown by the mechanism of reaction and not the balanced reaction itself

Intermediates are consumed in each step of the overall reaction, they are not short lived