A chemical equation (even a balanced chemical equation) is notable to tell us how the reaction actually occurs. However, we canpredict the rate law of a reaction, if we propose a plausiblereaction mechanism. Consider the mechanism proposed for thedecomposition reaction A 2 B + C, and understand the rate law fromthe molecular view.
(a) Derive the possible rate law based on mechanism (I). step 1:A k1 B + X slow step 2: X k2 B + C fast
(b) Derive the possible rate law based on mechanism (II). step1: A k1 k−1 C + M fast step 2: M k2 2 B slow
(c) Comparing to the rate law in Question 1 (or Question 2),which mechanism is plausible for the decomposition reaction, (I) or(II) ?
