AP Chemistry 5.4-5.11

Front

What is the overall reaction for the mechanism: AB + C2 → ABC + C (slow) and C + AB → ABC (fast)?

Back

2AB + C2 → 2ABC

Front

What is the rate equation for the reaction 2A + B → C + D with the mechanism A + B → AB + D (slow) and A + AB → C (fast)?

Back

rate = k [A] [B]

Front

What is the definition of the rate-determining step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

The rate-determining step is the slowest step in a reaction mechanism that determines the overall reaction rate.

Front

How do you identify the rate-determining step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

The rate-determining step is identified as the step with the highest activation energy or the slowest rate.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

What is the significance of activation energy in chemical reactions?

Back

Activation energy determines the rate of a reaction; higher activation energy means a slower reaction.

Front

What is the relationship between reaction mechanism and rate law?

Back

The rate law can be derived from the elementary steps of the reaction mechanism, particularly from the rate-determining step.

Front

What is an elementary step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

An elementary step is a single step in a reaction mechanism that describes a specific molecular event.

Front

What does the term 'slow step' refer to in a reaction mechanism?

Back

The 'slow step' refers to the step in a reaction mechanism that has the highest activation energy and thus controls the overall reaction rate.

Front

What is the role of intermediates in a reaction mechanism?

Back

Intermediates are species that are formed and consumed during the reaction mechanism but do not appear in the overall balanced equation.