Why are transition states of reactions the maximum energy states of the reaction?

Chemistry: Matter and Change
1st Edition
ISBN:9780078746376
Author:Dinah Zike, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl Wistrom
Publisher:Dinah Zike, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl Wistrom
Chapter23: The Chemistry Of Life
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Why are transition states of reactions the maximum energy states of the reaction? 

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Step 1

Transition state:
The transition state of a chemical reaction is a particular configuration along the reaction coordinate. It is defined as the state corresponding to the highest potential energy along with the reaction coordinate diagram. The lifetime of the transition state is very low and equal to just one bond vibration cycle.  It is often marked with the double dagger ‡ symbol.

Step 2

For a typical reaction, the reaction coordinate diagram and the transition state is given below:

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