the rate determining step

Question 1

what does the rate determining step show in a reaction

Answer 1

the slowest step in a multi step reaction

Question 2

what are 2 important points you must remember about rate determining steps and mechanisms

Answer 2

1) the rate determining step doesn’t have to be the first step in a mechanism
2) the reaction mechanism cant usually be predicted just from the just the chemical equation

Question 3

what does the order of reaction with respect to the reactant show about the number of molecules of that reactant

Answer 3

the order of reaction shows the number of molecules that are involved in the rate determining step

Question 4

if you have an intermediate being formed you have more than 1 equation, so how do you know what’s involved in the rate determining step

Answer 4

you need to see what equation has both elements/molecules that are in the rate equation.