29/09/2026
🧪˚:•. CHEM THEORIES | Transition State Theory
What happens during a chemical reaction? 🤔
Transition State Theory explains that chemical reactions occur when reactants pass through a high-energy transition state before forming products. This theory helps us understand how the energy needed to reach this state affects the rate of a chemical reaction.
Henry Eyring (1935) Developed Transition State Theory to explain how chemical reactions occur and how reaction rates are related to the energy of the transition state.
* Transition State A high-energy arrangement of atoms that occurs as reactants are transformed into products.
* Activation Energy The energy needed for reactants to reach the transition state.
* Reaction Rate The rate of a reaction is influenced by how easily reactants can reach the transition state.
From reaction energy to the formation of products, Transition State Theory helps us understand what happens at the molecular level during chemical reactions.
References:
Fleischmann, T. (2024). Henry Eyring. EBSCO Research Starters. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/henry-eyring/
Laidler, K. J. (2026, May 4). Reaction rate. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/reaction-rate
Rzepa, H. (n.d.). Transition states. Imperial College London. https://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/mod/mo_5.html�