Consider the reaction: The rate equation for this reaction is .Which of these mechanisms is/are consistent with this rate equation?(A) (slow) (fast)(B) (fast equilibrium) (slow)
- AB only
- BBoth A and B
- CNeither A nor B
- DA only
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
The rate of a reaction is determined by the slowest step (Rate Determining Step).For mechanism (A):The slow step is . This matches the given rate law.For mechanism (B):The slow step is From the fast equilibrium: Substituting this into the rate equation: . This does not match the given rate law.Therefore, only mechanism A is consistent.