Collision Theory and Transition State Theory Compared
Physical Chemistry · Kinetics Collision Theory and Transition State Theory Compared Two attempts to explain the same rate constant. One counts collisions; the other treats the transition state as a species with thermodynamic properties. BSc & MSc · Physical Chemistry · Concept The short answer: Collision theory predicts rate from collision frequency, an energy criterion and a steric factor, but the steric factor has to be fitted rather than calculated. Transition state theory instead assumes a quasi-equilibrium with an activated complex, giving the Eyring equation, whose parameters have direct thermodynamic meaning. Collision theory The reasoning is simple: molecules must collide…