Question

Consider the 2-step reaction mechanism
fast 2NO + H2 $ N2O+H2O
slow N2O+H2 ! N2+H2O
net 2NO + 2H2 ! N2 + 2H2O
Which of the following rate laws is cor-
rect for the given mechanism? Note that the
constant k may represent a combination of
elementary reaction rate constants.

Answer 1

The rate law for the given mechanism can be determined by considering the slow step of the reaction mechanism. The slow step is:

N2O + H2 → N2 + H2O

The rate of this reaction depends on the concentration of N2O and H2. Therefore, the rate law for this mechanism is:

Rate = k[N2O][H2]