15. Chemical Kinetics
Reaction Mechanism
17PRACTICE PROBLEM
The reaction between NO2 and CO takes place in two steps:
Step 1: NO2 + NO2 → NO3 + NO
Step 2: NO3 + CO → NO2 + CO2
The observed rate law for the reaction is rate=k[NO2]2. Assuming that the rate law and the above mechanism are both correct, what can be said about the relative rates of the two reaction steps?
The reaction between NO2 and CO takes place in two steps:
Step 1: NO2 + NO2 → NO3 + NO
Step 2: NO3 + CO → NO2 + CO2
The observed rate law for the reaction is rate=k[NO2]2. Assuming that the rate law and the above mechanism are both correct, what can be said about the relative rates of the two reaction steps?