A reaction takes place in three steps. The rate constant of the three steps are k1,k2 and k3 respectively. The overall rate constant k=k1k3k2. The energy of activation for the three steps are 40, 30 and 20 kJ respectively. Therefore:
The reaction mechanism is 2Ak1k2A∗+A;A∗k3−−→rds Product and overall order is one.
Since, overall rate constant k=k1k3k2
So, total energy of activation is
Ea1+Ea3−Ea2⇒40+20−30=30kJ
2A∗k1−→k2A∗+A;A∗k3−−−→RDS Product
This satisfied the condition k=k1k3k2 and overall order is one.