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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Jackmcnulty on November 11, 2021, 04:04:13 PM

Title: Rate Laws and order of reaction
Post by: Jackmcnulty on November 11, 2021, 04:04:13 PM
Consider: A + 2B  :rarrow: C + 2D

It is asking me what the order of reaction with respect to B and A are. I understand the rate law that states

Rate = k[A]mBn

However I do not understand where the values for m and n are coming from.

We were also given tabulated data about [A]0, and B0 and Initial Δ[C]/Δt.

Is there something about this tabulated data that should tell me? Where B is not in brackets, the formatting messed it up and it is in fact the molarity of the reactant B.
Title: Re: Rate Laws and order of reaction
Post by: Orcio_87 on November 11, 2021, 04:18:29 PM
Quote
Rate = k[A]mBn

However I do not understand where the values for m and n are coming from.
Values "m" and "n" need to be calculated. If you have the data about concentration of A and B I suggest to draw a graph - concentration of A, B, C and D versus time of the reaction.
Title: Re: Rate Laws and order of reaction
Post by: Borek on November 11, 2021, 05:41:31 PM
However I do not understand where the values for m and n are coming from.

Technically they reflect stoichiometry of the reaction as it happens - which sometimes, in the case of very simple reactions, is eactly what the reaction equation says, but in most cases they reflect so called elementary reactions - which are simpler steps towards the full, complete process, described by the balanced equation.

From the data you have you shoudl be probably able to determine m and n. It is often not trivial to do so, see Rate equation page in wikipedia.
Title: Re: Rate Laws and order of reaction
Post by: mjc123 on November 11, 2021, 05:43:25 PM
B in brackets is the format code for bold type. For concentration of B, you can just include a space, e.g. [B ].