Reaction Mechanisms

Front

What is a unimolecular reaction?

Back

A reaction that involves only a single substance (atom, molecule, or ion) in the rate-determining step.

Front

What is a bimolecular reaction?

Back

A reaction that involves two substances (atoms, molecules, or ions) in the rate-determining step.

Front

What does the rate equation k[ICl][H2] indicate about the reaction?

Back

It indicates that the rate of the reaction depends on the concentrations of both ICl and H2.

Front

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

Back

It is the slowest step in the reaction mechanism that determines the overall rate of the reaction.

Front

How can you identify the slow step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

The slow step is typically the one with the highest activation energy.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

What is an elementary step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

A single step in a reaction mechanism that describes a specific molecular event.

Front

How many elementary steps are in a reaction if the mechanism involves three distinct steps?

Back

There are 3 elementary steps.

Front

What is the difference between a fast step and a slow step in a reaction mechanism?

Back

A fast step occurs quickly and has a lower activation energy, while a slow step occurs more slowly and has a higher activation energy.

Front

What does it mean if a reaction is said to be polimolecular?

Back

It refers to a reaction that involves more than two molecules in the rate-determining step.