In: Chemistry
How can I tell what order a reaction is? 0th, 1st or 2nd? What are all the steps to figure it out is it just looking at the exponents?
The order of a chemical reaction is defined as the sum of the powers of the concentration of the reactants in the rate equation of that particular chemical reaction.
Method to determine the reaction order using rate of reaction,
We know that, Rate is proportional to Concentration of Reactant.....( According to rate law)
If we have, Rate ∝ [Reactant]0 , then reaction is of zero order i.e concentration of reactant have no bearing on rate of reaction.
If, Rate ∝ [Reactant]1 , then reaction is of first order i e rate of reaction is directly proportional to concentration of reactant.
If, Rate ∝ [Reactant]2 , then reaction is of second order i.e rate of reaction is directly proportional to square of concentration of reactant.
Also, if rate equation for reaction is:
Rate ∝ [A] [B].
As both A and B are in first order (exponential power is equal to one)
So, Overall reaction should be of (1+1) order.