## modeling enthalpy

$K = \frac{k_{forward}}{k_{reverse}}$

inlovewithchemistry
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:19 am

### modeling enthalpy

if you were given enthalpy values for each of your elementary steps and had three steps, would the highest enthalpy value have the lesser "dip" (or amount of space between products and reactants) and lowest enthalpy value would have the greater "dip"?

I just want to be clear on how to model varying enthalpy values within elementary rxns.

Chem_Mod
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Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:53 pm
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### Re: modeling enthalpy

Do you mean the enthalpies of formation of each species or the enthalpies of reaction or the enthalpies of activation?

The enthalpy of reaction for one step corresponds to the vertical distance between reactant and the product of that step (either of which could actually be intermediates). Positive enthalpy change means products are higher than reactants and closer to the activated complex or transition state.