Related Formula
K = A e-Eₐ/RT$$K = A e^{-E_a/RT}$$
Core Logic
Given the relationship between the rate constants:
K = (K₁ · K₂)/(K₃)$$K = \frac{K_1 \cdot K_2}{K_3}$$
Substituting the Arrhenius equation for each rate constant:
A · e-Eₐ/RT = A₁ · e^-Eₐ₁/RT · A₂ · e^-Eₐ₂/RTA₃ · e^-Eₐ₃/RT$$A \cdot e^{-E_a/RT} = \frac{A_1 \cdot e^{-E_{a1}/RT} \cdot A_2 \cdot e^{-E_{a2}/RT}}{A_3 \cdot e^{-E_{a3}/RT}}$$
Combining the exponential terms using rules of exponents:
A · e-Eₐ/RT = ((A₁ · A₂)/(A₃)) · e^ -(Eₐ₁ + Eₐ₂ - Eₐ₃)RT$$A \cdot e^{-E_a/RT} = \left(\frac{A_1 \cdot A_2}{A_3}\right) \cdot e^{\frac{-(E_{a1} + E_{a2} - E_{a3})}{RT}}$$
Step 1: Equating Activation Energies
By comparing the powers of e$e$ on both sides, the overall activation energy Eₐ$E_a$ is related to the individual steps as follows:
Eₐ = Eₐ₁ + Eₐ₂ - Eₐ₃$$E_a = E_{a1} + E_{a2} - E_{a3}$$
Substitute the given values (Eₐ₁ = 40$E_{a1} = 40$, Eₐ₂ = 50$E_{a2} = 50$, Eₐ₃ = 60$E_{a3} = 60$ kJ/mol):
Eₐ = 40 + 50 - 60$$E_a = 40 + 50 - 60$$
Eₐ = 90 - 60$E_a = 90 - 60$
Eₐ = 30 kJ/mol$$E_a = 30 \text{ kJ/mol}$$
Pattern Recognition
When rate constants are multiplied or divided (K = K₁^a K₂^b / K₃^c$K = K_1^a K_2^b / K_3^c$), the corresponding overall activation energy follows the linear combination of the exponents: Eₐ = a Eₐ₁ + b Eₐ₂ - c Eₐ₃$E_a = a E_{a1} + b E_{a2} - c E_{a3}$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics