Based on the following reaction profile, how many intermediates are formed in the reaction A¡C? How many transition states are there? Which step, A¡B or B¡C, is the faster? For the reaction A¡C, is ΔE positive, negative, or zero? [Section 14.6]

Video transcript

Hello everyone. Today we have the following problem. Consider the reaction X to Z and its reaction profile below A says identify the number of transition states and intermediates formed. Well, first let's write our, our reaction. So the overall reaction is going to be X to Z. However, we have a process, we have one step step one, that's going to be X to Y. And our second step is going to be Y two Z. So to determine a transition state, this is going to be essentially our energy maxima. So the two highest points, so that's going to be our transition state one and our transition state to intermediates are going to be between these two transition states. And so this is going to be our why? So why is going to be our intermediate? So for number, for a, we can say that we have to transition states to transition states and one intermediate moving on to B B says R B asks us is why is the reaction of Y two X faster the reaction of Y two Z? So to do that, we have to examine their activation energies and activation and energy just the energy between a transition state and a reactant or an intermediate. So from X to Y are reacting is going to be X here. So we have a reactant. And so why is going to be our intermediate? So our first activation energy it's going to be this energy labeled here. And our second one is going to be This energy here between Y and our 2nd transition state. And so we can conclude that no X to Y is not faster. Why? Because there is a lower activation energy Than our 1st 1. And lastly, we have see what is the sign of our delta E or activation energy. So it's going to be negative since the potential energy of products is lower, then the potential energy of our reactant. And so with that, we have our three answers overall, I do hope this helped. And until next time.