Question

The mechanism of a reaction consists of a pre-equilibrium step with forward and reverse activation energies of 27 kJ mol1 and 35 kJ nl011 , respectively, followed by a rate-limiting elementary step of activation energy 1 S kJ mol1 • What is the activation energy of the overall reaction

Answer 1

Explanation:

The given data is as follows.

       $E_{a}(a)$ = 27 kJ/mol  

       $E_{a}(b)$ = 35 kJ/mol

and,  $E_{a}(c)$ = 15 kJ/mol

Activation energy of the overall reaction will be the sum of given activation energies as follows.

          $E_{a} = E_{a}(a) + E_{a}(b) + E_{a}(c)$

                           = (27 + 35 + 15) kJ/mol

                           = 77 kJ/mol

Thus, we can conclude that the overall value of activation energy is 77 kJ/mol.