Question

Which of the following is incorrect about Transition state theory?

(a) It is based on statistical mechanics

(b) The formation of activated complex to be rapid

(c) The decomposition of activated complex is slow

(d) The formation of activated complex is the rate determining step

I had been asked this question in an online interview.

Question is taken from Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions topic in chapter Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions of Chemical Reaction Engineering

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) The formation of activated complex is the rate determining step

To explain I would say: The activated complex formation step is the fastest. The rate determining step is the slowest of all the steps involved in a reaction. Hence, the decomposition of activated complex is the rate determining step.