Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain how a multistep profile is built by joining the profiles of the elementary steps. (Guide: “From one hump to several”)
- I can tell a transition state (peak) from an intermediate (valley) and say why only the intermediate could be detected. (Guide: “Anatomy of a multistep profile”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain, using collisions, why the step with the largest activation energy is the slowest. (Guide: “Which step is rate-limiting?”; Practice Q6)
- I can explain why the overall ΔH does not depend on the number of steps. (Guide: “Reading the numbers”)
Skills
- I can count the steps and intermediates on a profile. (Practice Q1)
- I can measure each step’s activation energy from the valley where that step starts. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2, Q6)
- I can find each step’s ΔH and the overall ΔH, and check that the steps add up. (Practice Q3, Q6)
- I can find the activation energy of a reverse step. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q6)
- I can turn step data into energies and sketch a labelled profile with the correct relative heights. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q4)
Reasoning
- I can identify the rate-limiting step from a profile and link it to the rate law, including a fast pre-equilibrium. (Practice Q5)
- I can describe a profile shape that is consistent with a given rate law and mechanism. (Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 5.11, Catalysis, or return to the course roadmap.