Question

Given below are few statements regarding activated complexes. Which among them is/are false ?

• A. Activated complexes possess higher energy than the reactants.
• B. Activated complexes possess lower energy than the products.
• C. They have a short life span.
• D. They can revert back to reactants or proceed forward to form products.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Activated complexes possess lower energy than the products.

• The activated complex (also known as the transition state) is a temporary, unstable arrangement of atoms that forms at the peak of the energy barrier during a chemical reaction. • To form an activated complex, reactants must absorb energy (Activation Energy, Therefore, the complex always has higher energy than the starting reactants. • Because it is at a high-energy state, the activated complex is extremely unstable and has a very short life span (often on the scale of femtoseconds). • Once at the transition state, the complex can either "fall" forward to become products or "fall" backward to revert to the original reactants.