Finding Order of Reactions

[Cynthia Ulloa]

When setting up our rate rations to find the order of reaction, does it matter which rates we take from the experimental data? and how do we decide which to put as our numerator?

[Brevin Hensley 1C]

You can choose any rates from the experimental data, as long as all rates you choose are from the same specific trial and not from multiple trials. As long as this is consistent then the value for the rate of consumption will be the same no matter which concentrations you select.

[Angela Patel 2J]

Also remember that rate constants are temperature specific.

[Edmund Zhi 2B]

The order of reactions are determined by comparing different experiments. By keeping all but one reactant constant, you can determine the order of the varying reactant by seeing it's effect on the initial rate.

[kristi le 2F]

You should get the same rate constant for different experiments if your rate law is correct. You can also do it for multiple experiments if you want to check your answers.