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Chapter 13: Problem 48

What do we mean by the mechanism of a reaction? What is an elementary step? What is the molecularity of a reaction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The mechanism of a reaction is the series of steps by which reactants become products. Each of these individual steps is called an 'elementary step'. The molecularity of a reaction step is the number of molecules involved in that particular step. It influences the rate and order of the reaction.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Mechanism of a Reaction

Mechanism of a reaction refers to the series of steps that take place during a chemical reaction. It describes how the reactants form intermediates and ultimately transition to the products. Each individual step called elementary steps, which together contribute to form the entire mechanism of the reaction.
02

Explanation of Elementary Step

An elementary step of a reaction is a process in a chemical reaction which takes place in a single step. In other words, in an elementary reaction, the reactants directly become the products. It is the simplest level of organization of a reaction, and a set of such steps constitute the entire mechanism of a reaction.
03

Understanding Molecularity of a Reaction

The molecularity of a reaction is defined as the number of molecules taking part in an elementary step. It can be uni-molecular (one molecule involved), bi-molecular (two molecules involved), or ter-molecular (three molecules involved). Molecularity is a crucial characteristic of an elementary step, which helps to determine the order and rate of a chemical reaction.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Define half-life. Write the equation relating the halflife of a first-order reaction to the rate constant.

Determine the molecularity and write the rate law for each of the following elementary steps: (a) \(\mathrm{X} \longrightarrow\) products (b) \(\mathrm{X}+\mathrm{Y} \longrightarrow\) products (c) \(\mathrm{X}+\mathrm{Y}+\mathrm{Z} \longrightarrow\) products (d) \(\mathrm{X}+\mathrm{X} \longrightarrow\) products (e) \(\mathrm{X}+2 \mathrm{Y} \longrightarrow\) products

Distinguish between homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis. Describe three important industrial processes that utilize heterogeneous catalysis.

Consider the reaction $$ \mathrm{N}_{2}(g)+3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{NH}_{3}(g) $$ Suppose that at a particular moment during the reaction molecular hydrogen is reacting at the rate of \(0.074 M / \mathrm{s}\). (a) At what rate is ammonia being formed? (b) At what rate is molecular nitrogen reacting?

List four factors that influence the rate of a reaction.
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