Rate of reaction and coefficient of the reactan

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In the reaction 2 NO + O2 → 2 NO2, doubling the concentration of NO results in a fourfold increase in the reaction rate, which is attributed to the reaction being second-order with respect to NO. This means that the rate is proportional to the square of the concentration of NO. The order of a reaction, particularly in elementary reactions, corresponds to the coefficients in the balanced equation, as defined by chemical kinetics. The discussion emphasizes that understanding why the number of moles affects the rate involves recognizing that reactions depend on molecular collisions; thus, increasing the concentration of reactants increases the frequency of collisions, leading to a higher reaction rate. An analogy to clarify this concept is that the likelihood of collisions—and therefore reactions—grows with the number of molecules present, making it intuitive for students to grasp the relationship between concentration and reaction rate.
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Suppose in the reaction 2 NO + O2 --------> 2NO2

Why when the the concentration of NO is doubled, the rate increases 4 times, I know that the rate is directly proportional to the square of NO concentration (I don't know why) and it's order of reaction is 2 ( I don't why ). but I still can't understand a reason for all of that it seems foggy to me why the coefficient affects the proportionality. It should be intuitive to a chemistry student, I think a simple analogy would be helpful, thanks
 
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ElmorshedyDr said:
Why when the the concentration of NO is doubled, the rate increases 4 times, I know that the rate is directly proportional to the square of NO concentration (I don't know why) and it's order of reaction is 2 ( I don't why )

While everything you wrote is correct, it is the wrong way around.

First, we should check what is the reaction order - and the only sure way of doing it is an experiment. Once we know order is 2 everything else follows as a series of conclusions.
 
Borek said:
While everything you wrote is correct, it is the wrong way around.
First, we should check what is the reaction order - and the only sure way of doing it is an experiment. Once we know order is 2 everything else follows as a series of conclusions.
But in elementary reactions, the order is equal to the coefficient, isn't that true and why ?
 
ElmorshedyDr said:
But in elementary reactions, the order is equal to the coefficient, isn't that true and why ?

Yes it is true - because we defined it this way. Order of the reaction equals sum of the coefficients from the elementary reaction equation.
 
Borek said:
Yes it is true - because we defined it this way. Order of the reaction equals sum of the coefficients from the elementary reaction equation.
You really misunderstand me, I know because it's defined like that, I mean why does the number of moles in a balanced question affects the proportionality in the rate equation for an example 2NO + O2 ------> 2NO2 , I2 + H2 -----> 2HI

Supposing that they are elementary reactions
Why in the first equation on doubling the conc of NO the rate increases 4 times but on doubling I2 it increases only 2 times

I already know the conception of the order of reaction and this stuff

but I want an analogy that really clarifies it, or a detailed easy explanation that make it clear and intuitive to a high school student.
 
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If you are looking for intuition - reactions occur when the molecules collide, the more molecules, the more frequent the collisions. Number of collisions for a given kind of a molecule is proportional to its number (or concentration).
 
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