CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Reaction kinetics

Reaction kinetics: compare question

Compare5 marksChallenge

Two gaseous decomposition reactions are studied.

Reaction 1: NX2OX5→NX2OX4+12 OX2\ce{N2O5 -> N2O4 + 1/2 O2}

Reaction 2: 2 NOX2→2 NO+OX2\ce{2NO2 -> 2NO + O2}

For each reaction, the rate equation and a possible mechanism are given.

Reaction 1: rate =k[NX2OX5]= k[\ce{N2O5}]

Step 1: NX2OX5→NOX2+NOX3\ce{N2O5 -> NO2 + NO3} (slow)

Step 2: NOX2+NOX3→NO+OX2+NOX2\ce{NO2 + NO3 -> NO + O2 + NO2} (fast)

Step 3: NO+NOX3→2 NOX2\ce{NO + NO3 -> 2NO2} (fast)

Reaction 2: rate =k[NOX2]2= k[\ce{NO2}]^2

Step 1: 2 NOX2→NO+NOX3\ce{2NO2 -> NO + NO3} (slow)

Step 2: NOX3+NO→2 NOX2\ce{NO3 + NO -> 2NO2} (fast)

Compare the two reactions in terms of the order of reaction with respect to the reactant, the overall order, the rate-determining step, and the role of any intermediate in each mechanism.

0 words · 5 marks

No account needed for your first marks. Your answer is used only to mark it.

How this question is marked

5 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 5 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.

Compare means: Give similarities or differences between two things, and say which side each point belongs to. Write each point as a pair, for example: A is X, whereas B is Y. Two separate descriptions rarely earn the marks.

More Reaction kinetics questions

All Reaction kinetics questions

Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.