Transition State
Definition
The transition state refers to the highest-energy state of a molecule during a chemical reaction, which must be reached for the reaction to proceed.
Analogy
Imagine climbing over a hill. At first, it's an uphill struggle (increasing energy) until you reach the top - this peak point is like your transition state. Once you're over it, it's all downhill from there (decreasing energy)!
Related terms
Reaction Coordinate Diagrams: These diagrams plot energy changes throughout reactions and often show transition states.
Intermediate State/Species: A species formed during but not present at either beginning or end of overall transformation; typically exists within higher energy than either reactant or product.
Potential Energy Surface: It represents 3D plot of potential energy versus different geometrical arrangements of atoms in molecules.
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