Consider the following transformation involving first order elementary reaction in each step at constant temperature as shown below. [figure] Some details of the above reactions are listed below. [figure] If the overall rate constant of the above transformation (k) is given as k = k1k2k3 and the overall activation energy (Ea) is 400 kJ mol-1, then the value of Ea3 is kJ mol-1 (nearest integer)
Answer
100
Solution
Arrhenius: k = Ae-Ea/RT for every step
k = k1k2k3 ⇒ Ae-Ea/RT = A1A2A3e-(Ea1 + Ea2 - Ea3)/RT
⇒ Ea = Ea1 + Ea2 - Ea3
⇒ 400 = 300 + 200 − Ea3
∴ Ea3 = 100 kJ mol-1
Answer: 100