In advanced complex kinetic derivations, can the mathematically calculated overall effective Arrheni — Chemical Kinetics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

While the pure activation energy barrier for any single, isolated elementary step is absolutely unconditionally positive, the overall $E_{a(eff)}$ of a complex chain is an algebraic sum (e.g., $E_{a1} + E_{a2} - E_{a3}$). If the negative term originating from a powerful exothermic fast equilibrium step is massive, the net composite sum can easily fall precisely below zero.