rate of reaction

[Alison Trinh 1E]

What does it mean when we say the rate of a reaction depends on the reaction mechanism?

[Brian_Ho_2B]

In a multistep reaction with at least two elementary steps, the rate law is based on the slowest step of the mechanism, which determines the rate. When you do write the rate law, it must be consistent with the overall observed reaction (the overall reaction of the mechanism) and it must be consistent with the rate determining step.