Rate Determining Step

[Fionna Shue 4L]

Is the rate law for the rate determining step always equal to the overall rate law?

[Aarti K Jain 1L]

Yes, because the rate determining step is the slowest step in the reaction. That rate determining step determines what the rate law is for the entire reaction.

[KatrinaPho_2I]

Yup! the slowest step, or the step with the highest activation rate, is the slowest rate. The slowest rate is always the rate that determines the rate of the reaction.

[Elizabeth Kim 4E]

Yes, because the slowest rate is essentially the rate law used.

[Anna O 2C]

Yes because the rate of a reaction will be determined by the step that takes the longest and has the greatest impact on the overall length of the reaction.

[Michael Torres 4I]

Yes, you are correct. The reaction is perceived to be occurring faster in other steps relative to the rate determining step. Therefore, the rate determining step will determine how quickly the reaction will proceed since it is the slowest. The effect of the other steps on the rate of the reaction is ignored.