Slow step of reaction?

[J_CHEN 4I]

Is the slow step of an overall reaction determined experimentally? Can you know what the slow step is by looking at its chemical reaction?

[Anika Chakrabarti 1A]

I think if you know the overall rate law that was determined experimentally, then the rate law of the slow step will be the same as the reaction rate law. You also might need to use the pre-equilibrium method if the rate law of the slow step has an intermediate.

[MingdaH 3B]

depending on a reaction, you may be able to guess what the slow step is just by looking at its chemical reaction. The slow step of an overall reaction is usually determined experimentally.

[Connie Chen 1E]

The slow step of a reaction can also be determined experimentally as the textbook does mention that some techniques such as the stopped-flow technique or spectrometry can be used to measure the rate of fast reactions.

[Jared_Yuge]

You would need to run the experiment, and then check with the pre equilibrium method to confirm. In the test the slow step will most likely be given.

[William Chan 1D]

Yes, I think the slow step is determined experimentally in real life. Then a mechanism is proposed to match it.