## rate order vs contribution to overall rate

$K = \frac{k_{forward}}{k_{reverse}}$

Liam Maxwell 2E
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### rate order vs contribution to overall rate

I was wondering which rate order correlates to the fastest rate, or is there no correlation. For example is a reaction that is first order always faster/slower than a rate at second order if all other variables remain the same?

Priyanka Bhakta 1L
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Re: rate order vs contribution to overall rate

The order indicates the mechanism more than just the speed of reaction, as the rate constant indicates the speed of the reaction. It is my understanding that the order itself does not indicate anything explicitly about the speed of a reaction, it merely demonstrates how many particles/molecules of that reactant(s) "collide" to create the product(s).

melissa carey 1f
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

### Re: rate order vs contribution to overall rate

How does the overall rate indicate these relationships?

Victoria Draper 1G
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:05 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: rate order vs contribution to overall rate

For two or more reactions of the same order, the reaction with the largest rate constant is the fastest. Because the units of the rate constants for zeroth-, first-, and second-order reactions are different, however, we cannot compare the magnitudes of rate constants for reactions that have different orders.