Chapter 57: Problem 12

Comment on the appropriateness of the following methods to determine the order of a reaction. a) Examine the stoichiometric coefficients in the chemical equation. In this method, the order of a reaction with respect to a component is equal to the stoichiometric coefficient of that component in the chemical equation. b) Perform experiments. In this method, the order of a reaction with respect to a component is determined by how the reaction rate changes when the concentration(s) is changed.

Short Answer

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While examining stoichiometric coefficients can provide a quick prediction, it might not be accurate for complex reactions and shouldn't be solely relied on. Performing experiments, although requiring more effort, provides more accurate results and is suitable for most reactions.

Step by step solution

Examine Stoichiometric Coefficients

Examining the stoichiometric coefficients in the chemical equation can provide a quick way of predicting the order of a reaction. However, it's not always reliable. This method assumes that the stoichiometric coefficient equals the order of the reaction, which is only true for elementary reactions. For complex reactions, which consist of more than one elementary step, this method can lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, while it can provide a starting point, it shouldn't be solely relied on.

Perform Experiments

Performing experiments can be more accurate, although it requires time and resources. It involves changing the concentration of the reactants and observing the effect on the reaction rate. This way, the actual order of the reaction can be determined. This method doesn't depend on the assumption that the stoichiometric coefficients represent the reaction order, therefore providing more accurate results for complex reactions. This makes it more suitable for determining the reaction order for most reactions.

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Examine Stoichiometric Coefficients

Perform Experiments

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