Fast and Slow Step Reactions

[Lizette Noriega 1H]

Hello,

What is the difference between a fast and slow step reaction? What does this information tell us with regard to solving problems?

[jisulee1C]

The slow step is the rate determining step and therefore we use the slow step when determining the rate of the reaction mechanism.

[SimranSangha4I]

the difference is that the slow step is considered the determining step, and that is what we use when we are trying to find the rate of a mechanism.

[Jessica Booth 2F]

The slow step is the step with the highest activation energy. With regard to solving problems we use the slow step to determine if a given mechanism is correct for a reaction and to determine the order and rate law of a reaction.

[Connie Chen 1E]

The slow step can be thought of as a funnel. Water can only flow through as fast as the neck of the funnel allows. Similarly, a reaction can only occur as quickly as the slow step proceeds. Therefore, it can also be thought of as the rate determining step. The fast steps are much faster than the slow step and generally have no effect on the overall rate of the reaction.

[aishwarya_atmakuri]

The slow step is the rate determining step. The fast step could be before or after the sloe step.