Transition State Theory
The transition state theory states that there is a transition state in between where the molecules of the reaction are reactants and products. During the transition state, the reactants react to form a species known as the activated complex.
The theory also states that there three main factors which determine if a chemical reaction will occur or not:
Unlike the collision theory which says that not all of the reactants undergo the reaction, the transition state theory proposes that if there are successful collisions there are two possible outcomes; the molecules to reform to reactants or the molecules to combine to form a new complex (products).
The transition state theory states that there is a transition state in between where the molecules of the reaction are reactants and products. During the transition state, the reactants react to form a species known as the activated complex.
The theory also states that there three main factors which determine if a chemical reaction will occur or not:
- the concentrations of the activated complex
- the rate at which the activated complex breaks
- the way in which the activated complex breaks: whether it breaks to form a new complex (products) or to reform the reactants.
Unlike the collision theory which says that not all of the reactants undergo the reaction, the transition state theory proposes that if there are successful collisions there are two possible outcomes; the molecules to reform to reactants or the molecules to combine to form a new complex (products).
In the diagram above, you can see that successful collisions have occurred due to the products formed being different when compared to the reactants.