Question

Calculate the overall order of a reaction which has the rate expression
(a) Rate = $k{\left[A\right]}^{1/2}{\left[B\right]}^{3/2}$
(b) Rate = $k{\left[A\right]}^{3/2}{\left[B\right]}^{-1}$

Answer 1

(a) Rate= $K{\left[A\right]}^{\frac{1}{2}}{\left[B\right]}^{\frac{3}{2}}$

$\therefore$ order of reaction = $\frac{1}{2}+\frac{3}{2}=\frac{4}{2}=2$.

(b) Rate= $K{\left[A\right]}^{\frac{3}{2}}{\left[A\right]}^{-1}$

$\therefore$ order of reaction = $\frac{3}{2}-1=\frac{1}{2}$