Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) An intermediate state in a chemical reaction that has a higher free energy than the reactants or the products
Wikipedia
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 this reaction coordinate. At this point, assuming a perfectly irreversible reaction, colliding reactant molecules always go on to form products. It is often marked with the double dagger ‡ symbol.
As an example, the transition state shown below occurs during the S2 reaction of bromoethane with a hydroxyl anion:
The activated complex of a reaction can refer to either the transition state or to other states along the reaction coordinate between reactants and products, especially those close to the transition state.
Usage examples of "transition state".
As such, not only it is the home of all sorts of various preliminary and initial mystical phenomena (which can be expected to vary considerably from person to person), it is itself the broad transition state from gross to subtle.
Subsequent data told the new cell what to become-each pulse, or absence of a pulse, converting it into a slightly more specialized transition state, zeroing in on the particular final state required.
Subsequent data told the new cell what to becomeeach pulse, or absence of a pulse, converting it into a slightly more specialized transition state, zeroing in on the particular final state required.
Something about the windshifting project being in a delicate transition state, or something.
It seemed caught in a transition state, unable to take a definite action or even a definite form.