Question

Explain isolation method to determine rate law and order of reaction.

Answer 1

Isolation method: In this method all the reactants are taken in very large excess except one and the order of the reaction is determined by the first method. The concentrations of the substances taken in excess are considered to be constant. The sum of the orders, obtained by the process of isolation of each reactant is the order of the reaction. The method may be illustrated by the reaction between sodium formate and silver acetate.When silver acetate is taken in large excess, then the reaction is of first order, but when sodium formate is taken in excess the reaction is of second order. Hence the reaction is ofthird order.