By giving three examples,explain whether the exponents of the concentration terms in a rate law are the same as their stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced chemical reaction.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The rate law of a reaction is determined experimentally and does not necessarily correspond to the stoichiometric coefficients of the balanced chemical equation.
$1$. Reaction: $2 NO_{(g)} + O_{2(g)} \rightarrow 2 NO_{2(g)}$
Rate $= k[NO]^2[O_2]^1$. Here,the exponents $(2, 1)$ match the stoichiometric coefficients $(2, 1)$.
$2$. Reaction: $CHCl_{3(g)} + Cl_{2(g)} \rightarrow CCl_{4(g)} + HCl_{(g)}$
Rate $= k[CHCl_3]^1[Cl_2]^{1/2}$. Here,the exponent of $[Cl_2]$ is $1/2$,while its stoichiometric coefficient is $1$. Thus,they do not match.
$3$. Reaction: $CH_3COOC_2H_{5(l)} + H_2O_{(l)} \rightarrow CH_3COOH_{(aq)} + C_2H_5OH_{(aq)}$
Rate $= k[CH_3COOC_2H_5]^1[H_2O]^0$. Here,the exponent of $[H_2O]$ is $0$,while its stoichiometric coefficient is $1$. Thus,they do not match.
Conclusion: The exponents in the rate law are determined by experimental observation and are not always equal to the stoichiometric coefficients of the balanced chemical equation.

Explore More

Similar Questions

By “the overall order of a reaction”,we mean

In the reaction sequence $A$ $\xrightarrow{K_1} B$ $\xrightarrow{K_2} C$ $\xrightarrow{K_3} D$,where $K_3 > K_2 > K_1$,which step determines the rate of the reaction?

For the reaction $2A + B \rightarrow A_2B$,if the concentration of reactant $A$ is doubled and the concentration of reactant $B$ is halved,the rate of the reaction will:

If in a certain reaction,two different reactants take part,then:

For conversion of compound $A \rightarrow B$,the rate constant of the reaction was found to be $4.6 \times 10^{-5} \ L \ mol^{-1} \ s^{-1}$. The order of the reaction is $..........$

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo