Question

multiple choice 2 points consider the energy diagram given below: (1) how many steps are there in the reaction? (2) identify the intermediates in the diagram. (3) locate the rate - determining step there is only one step in the reaction.

Explanation:

Step1: Count reaction steps

Each peak in the energy - diagram represents an activation energy barrier for a step. Since there are two peaks, there are two steps.

Step2: Identify intermediate

An intermediate is a species that exists temporarily during the reaction. It is at a local energy minimum between the activation energy barriers (peaks).

Step3: Determine rate - determining step

The rate - determining step is the step with the highest activation energy. In this diagram, the first peak is higher, so the first step is the rate - determining step.

Answer:

(1) There are two steps in the reaction.
(2) The energy - minimum point between the two peaks represents the intermediate.
(3) The step with the highest activation energy (the first peak in this case) is the rate - determining step.