k1,k2 and k3 are given as rate constants of three steps of a complex reaction. Rate constant (k) of the overall reaction is given as k=k2k1k3 Activation energies of the three steps are given as $\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{E}{\mathrm{a}1}=60 \mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}, \mathrm{E}{\mathrm{a}2}=30 \mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}, \
& \mathrm{E}{\mathrm{a}3}=10 \mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}
\end{aligned}FromArrheniusequation,weknowthat\mathrm{k}=\mathrm{Ae}^{-\mathrm{Ea} / \mathrm{RT} T}IfE_aistheactivationenergyoftheoverallreaction,then\begin{aligned}
& E_a=\frac{1}{2}\left[E{a_1}+E{a_3}-E_{a_2}\right] \
& =\frac{1}{2}[60+10-30]=20 \mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}
\end{aligned}$