Question

Which statement always describes the elementary reaction of a reaction mechanism that is the rate-determining step?

bimolecular
unimolecular
proceeds at the highest rate
proceeds at the lowest rate

Answer 1

Answer: Option (4) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elementary reaction is a single step reaction in which two or more chemical substances react to form products.

For example,
`O_(3)(g) \rightarrow O_(2)(g) + O(g)` is an elementary reaction.

Whereas a rate determining step helps to determine the rate or speed at which overall reaction is taking place. It is the slowest step.

Complex reactions occur in more that one step, therefore, they show rate determining step.

Hence, we can conclude that the statement proceeds at the lowest rate describes the elementary reaction of a reaction mechanism that is the rate-determining step.

Answer 2

I think the answer would be that it proceeds at the lowest rate. The rate-determining step of a reaction mechanism would always be that reaction that has rate that is the slowest. It is from this rate, that other reactions would depend. Hope this helped.