Slow step

[AlyssaYeh_1B]

How does one determine which step in a multi-step reaction is the slowest?

[Verity Lai 2K]

You use the rate laws to find the slowest one.

[Jasmine Kim 1L]

According to some other posts, you just have to look at the individual and overall rate laws. The step with the same rate law as the overall rate law is the slowest step.

[005324438]

Most of the time it will tell you, but if it asks you to determine which step is the slow step, then it's the one the rate law is describing. This rate law can be derived from concentrations and time as well, so be ready to derive the slow step from a table of concentrations and times.

[rohun2H]

When given the mechanism, the slow step is the one that is the same as the overall reaction as the overall rate of reaction is determined by the slowest step.