Question

Based on the proposed mechanism, which of the following best describes the concentration of the species represented above as the reaction occurs?answer choicesThe concentration is larger than that of reactant or product.The concentration is very low for the duration of the reaction.The concentration fluctuates between high and low during the reaction.

Answer 1

Answer: The concentration fluctuates between high and low during the reaction.

Explanation: In a chemical reaction, the reactants are converted into products and the concentrations of the species involved in the reaction change over time. The proposed mechanism describes how the reaction occurs, and it can give an insight into how the concentrations of the species change during the reaction.

When the reaction starts, the concentration of reactants is high, and the concentration of products is low. As the reaction progresses, the reactants are consumed, and the products are formed. The concentration of reactants decreases, and the concentration of products increases.

At some point, the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction, and the reaction reaches equilibrium. At equilibrium, the concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant, and the reaction proceeds at a steady state.

Therefore, based on the proposed mechanism, the concentration of the species represented in the equation fluctuates between high and low during the reaction, as the reactants are consumed, and the products are formed, until reaching the equilibrium state.

Answer 2

The concentration of species represented in a reaction mechanism is usually very low during the duration of the reaction because they are transient intermediates. As the reaction proceeds towards equilibrium, reaction rates and species concentrations change until equilibrium is reached where concentrations remain constant.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the proposed mechanism of a reaction and the behavior of species concentrations as the reaction occurs, typically the species, which could be intermediates, have concentrations that are lower compared to the reactants or products for the duration of the reaction. This is because intermediates are often formed and consumed rapidly within the reaction sequence and do not accumulate to high concentrations. As the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium, the concentration of reactants generally decreases, product concentration increases, and the reaction quotient Qc correspondingly increases until equilibrium is achieved where the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant.

During the course of the reaction, the rates change depending on the concentrations of the reacting species. Initially, the rate is high due to the high concentration of reactants. As reactants are consumed and products are formed, the rate of the forward reaction decreases and the rate of the reverse reaction increases until both rates are equal at equilibrium. The concentration of the species represented will typically be very low during the reaction because they are transient and do not accumulate in the reaction mixture.