Quiz 2

[Sue_Park_2D]

On the last question for quiz #2, I stated that the rate limiting step was step 2, but got it wrong.

I thought step 1 could not be the rate limiting step because it was at equilibrium, shown by the double arrows between the reactants and products. I don't understand why step 1 would have to be the rate limiting step instead of step 2.

Thank you!

[Milan Hirpara 3K]

Just because the step shows the reaction is at equilibrium does not mean that step is the rate limiting step. Rate limiting step is determined by the slow step, so whichever step had the lower k, rate constant, is going to be the rate determining step.

[SoJeong Lee]

Does anyone know the answer for quiz 2 #4-c which asks for the rate law?

[Amber Duong 1B]

The rate limiting step was the first step because its reaction constant was less than the second step, meaning that it was slower.