Reaction Steps

[JacksonWissing2G]

How can we tell what step of a mechanism a reaction will occur using the rate laws and the formula we're trying to create?

[Elaine Steinberg 3H]

All steps of the mechanism occur, but one is rate determining. There can be intermediates that are used up and so the equations in the "steps" can be added together to get the overall equation. But one of the steps is the "slow" step.

[Jennifer Liu 2A]

Every step of a reaction will occur, but we can use the rate law to figure out which step is the rate-determining step
E.g. the example with the reaction NO2(g) + CO(g) → NO(g) + CO2(g) from Wednesday's lecture, where, because we know the rate law = k[NO2]², we know that the rate determining step is the collision of two NO2 molecules. And then, because we know that 2NO2 molecules cannot form the products NO and CO2, we figure out the intermediate/other steps.

[Megan Thanislas]

Every step of a reaction mechanism that is given will occur. To find the rate law, we need the rate-determining step which will be given as the "slow step". Or, if we need to look at it the other way around, we can determine the rate-determining step given the rate law. Whichever step is used to create the rate law is the slow step.

[LianaHernandez1F]

A particular reaction mechanism will go through all of its steps. We require the rate-determining step, sometimes known as the "slow step," in order to determine the rate law. Alternatively, if the situation demands it, we can decide the rate-determining step in light of the rate law. The slow step is whichever step is utilized to formulate the rate law.