Question

For a series of reactions that combine to give an overall reaction mechanism, which of the following is an incorrect statement?

• A. The intermediate and catalyst can be easily identified based on the placement in the series of steps.
• B. The net equation is a sum of all of the reactants and products after similar substances on each side have been eliminated.
• C. The balanced chemical equation of the overall reaction specifies both the stoichiometry of the reaction and the rate order for the reaction.
• D. The slowest step is the best place to add a catalyst in order to increase the overall rate of the reaction.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The balanced chemical equation of the overall reaction specifies both the stoichiometry of the reaction and the rate order for the reaction.

The balanced chemical equation of the overall reaction specifies the stoichiometry of the reaction but it does not specify the rate order of the reaction. The rate order is given by the slowest step in the reaction.