what is a pseudo-second order reaction
the concentration of the inert collision partner doesn’t change noticeably during the reaction so acts like a second order keff = k[M]
integrated rate law for pseudo second order reaction
1/c(t) = 1/c0 + 2 keff t
how do recombination reactions proceed
via a trimolecular step or a sequence of bimolecular steps
why are trimolecular steps slow
unlikely three will collide at one time
prerequisite to multiple bimolecular steps
if A2* lives long enough to experience a stabilising collision with M
when is A2* unlikely to be stable
when it is diatomic as all energy goes to stretching vibrations
chemical equation of recombination reactions
2A = A2