H.W. Problem 15.17

[Nandhini_2K]

Part A asks to calculate the order for each reactant.

The solution Manuel uses experiment 2 and 3 to solve for the order with respect to B. Why can't we use experiment 1 and 2?

[sharonvivianv]

Experiments 1 and 2 would help you get the order for [A] but not for [B] because the concentrations are the same in both equations.

[Nandhini_2K]

Also why don't we calculate the order for reactant C?

[sharonvivianv]

If you look at experiments 1 and 4, you see that concentrations for C change but the initial rates are both 2. This means that C is independent of the rate.

[Chem_Mod]

In general, it's a good idea to start with the pairs of experiments where only one reactant's concentration is changing while the other concentrations are held constant. Looking at experiments 1 and 2, we see that both [A] and [C] are changing.

Hope this helps! :)

[He whose name cannot be spoken]

Also why don't we calculate the order for reactant C?

You can, it's just not gonna be very useful