Consider the diagram that follows, which represents two steps in an overall reaction. The red spheres are oxygen, the blue ones are nitrogen, and the green ones are fluorine. d. Write the rate law for the overall reaction if the first step is the slow, rate-determining step. [Section 14.5]

Verified step by step guidance

1. <Identify the reactants involved in the slow, rate-determining step.>
2. <Determine the molecularity of the slow step by counting the number of reactant molecules involved.>
3. <Write the rate law based on the molecularity of the slow step, using the concentrations of the reactants.>
4. <Express the rate law in the form: rate = k [A]^m [B]^n, where A and B are reactants, and m and n are their respective orders.>
5. <Remember that the rate law for the overall reaction is determined by the rate law of the slowest step in the mechanism.>

Key Concepts

Rate Law

The rate law is an equation that relates the rate of a chemical reaction to the concentration of its reactants. It is typically expressed in the form rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, where k is the rate constant, [A] and [B] are the concentrations of the reactants, and m and n are the reaction orders. Understanding the rate law is crucial for predicting how changes in concentration affect the reaction rate.

Rate-Determining Step

The rate-determining step is the slowest step in a multi-step reaction mechanism, which limits the overall reaction rate. This step dictates the kinetics of the entire reaction, and its rate law can be used to derive the overall rate law. Identifying the rate-determining step is essential for accurately writing the rate law for complex reactions.

Reaction Mechanism

A reaction mechanism is a detailed description of the individual steps that occur during a chemical reaction. Each step involves the breaking and forming of bonds, and the mechanism provides insight into how reactants are converted into products. Understanding the mechanism is vital for determining which step is rate-determining and for writing the correct rate law.