Chemistry / Unit 9 Chem 1712 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Reaction Intermediates
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The idea
A reaction intermediate is produced in one mechanism step and fully consumed in a later step, never appearing in the overall equation.
In practice
The lone oxygen atom produced in ozone decomposition's first step is entirely consumed in the second, absent from the net equation.
Where people slip
An intermediate is a real, if short-lived, species — unlike a transition state, it can be detected between steps.
Your place on the trail
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