In advanced complex kinetic derivations, can the mathematically calculated overall effective Arrheni — Chemical Kinetics Chemistry Question
Question
In advanced complex kinetic derivations, can the mathematically calculated overall effective Arrhenius activation energy ($E_{a(eff)}$) for an intricate, multi-step macroscopic chemical reaction ever theoretically evaluate to a negative numerical value?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
While the pure activation energy barrier for any single, isolated elementary step is unconditionally positive, the overall $E_{a(eff)}$ of a complex chain is an algebraic sum. If the negative term originating from a powerful exothermic fast equilibrium step is massive, the net sum can fall precisely below zero.
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