What is the Slow Step in This General Chem Kinetics Reaction?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around determining the slow step in a given chemical reaction involving NO2 and SO2. Participants express confusion about how the order of the reaction relates to the presence of SO2 in the steps. It is clarified that if a step does not involve SO2, it cannot be first order with respect to SO2, indicating that SO2 must be part of the slow step for it to influence the reaction order. The concept of activation energy is also discussed, emphasizing that it refers to the minimum energy required to initiate a reaction. Ultimately, the conclusion drawn is that the slow step must include SO2 to be considered relevant to the reaction's order.
Miike012
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Question 1:

Step 1: 2NO2 (g) + 2SO2 (g) = 2NO (g) + 2SO3 (g)
Step 2: 2NO (g) + O2 (g) = 2NO2 (g)
The reaction is found to be first order with respect to NO2 and SO2, what is the slow step for this reaction?

1. First step
2.Second step
3.Not possible to determine

Question 2 and 3: Look at graph.
Questions are located on the graph...

Thank you.

For Question 1: I believe that it is 3. not possible to determine.
Question 2... number 24 on graph I believe it is 8 J
question 3: I have no clue.
 

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Miike012 said:
The reaction is found to be first order with respect to NO2 and SO2, what is the slow step for this reaction?

Does the second step involve SO2? Can it be first order with respect to SO2?

Question 2... number 24 on graph I believe it is 8 J
question 3: I have no clue.

What is the definition of activation energy?
 
Activation energy: min energy of collision required for a chem reaction...

the second step does not involve SO2... I still don't understnad it though?
 
Miike012 said:
Activation energy: min energy of collision required for a chem reaction...

That's not completely off, but it doesn't address what is really important here. It is not total energy, but amount of energy needed to start the reaction. 8J is total.

the second step does not involve SO2... I still don't understnad it though?

If it doesn't involve SO2, can it have ANY order with regards to SO2?
 
If it doesn't involve SO2... then no it can not have any order with regards to SO2...
 
? so what does that mean?
 
If the second step would be the slow one, could it be first order with regards to SO2?
 
No... I don't believe so.. I am just not understanding how to determine the slow step.. I know your trying to tell me something but I still am not understanding how SO2 can determine if its a slow or fast step..
 
You know slow step requires presence of SO2, you also know one of the reactions doesn't involve SO2 at all. Can it be a slow step then?
 
  • #10
I had no idea a slow step REQUIRED SO2... ?
 
  • #11
That's the conclusion from the information given - if slow step has any order with regard to SO2, SO2 must be part of the reaction. This is not some additional rule, this is just application of logic.
 

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