First order, second order reactions [ENDORSED]

[Salma Sudarmadji 2I]

What is an easy way to remember how to determine if a reaction is first order or second order?
Thanks

[Chem_Mod]

If a reaction is first-order, it will increase proportionally with the concentration of the reagent. If the reaction is second-order, it will increase 4-fold when the reagent concentration is doubled. There's no real need to memorize them - you can tell based off the superscript (n) on the rate laws if they're given. If the problem doesn't give you the entire rate law, there's usually a way to determine the order.

[EmilyLeibovitch2E]

Will we ever be asked to do a third or forth order reaction even though it wasn't covered in the course reader?

[Jasmine_Esparza_2A]

We are tested on everything up to page 73 in the course reader. This page ends with "Pre-equilibrium approach".

Will we ever be asked to do a third or forth order reaction even though it wasn't covered in the course reader?

[Daisy Palomera 3B]

Would one of the ways to determine the rate law, if it is not given, be to use initial rates?

[904826427]

Would one of the ways to determine the rate law, if it is not given, be to use initial rates?

I don't see why not

[Carolyn Huh 1K]

The rate constant for a second order process depends on the initial concentration of a reactant, whereas this is of no concern for a first order reaction.