Question

The rate law for the chemical reaction 5Br⁻(aq) + BrO₃⁻(aq) + 6H⁺(aq) → 3Br₂(aq) + 3H₂O(l) has been determined experimentally to be Rate = k[Br⁻][BrO₃⁻][H⁺]₂. What is the overall order of the reaction?

a. 3
b. 5
c. 4
d. 2
e. 1

Answer 1

The overall order of the reaction with the rate law Rate = k[Br⁻][BrO₃⁻][H⁺]² is 4, by summing the exponents in the rate law.

Step-by-step explanation:

The overall order of a chemical reaction can be determined by adding the exponents in the experimentally determined rate law equation. In the rate law for the given reaction, Rate = k[Br⁻][BrO₃⁻][H⁺]², the orders of reaction with respect to Br⁻, BrO₃⁻, and H⁺ are 1, 1, and 2, respectively. Therefore, the overall order of the reaction is the sum of these exponents: 1 (for Br⁻) + 1 (for BrO₃⁻) + 2 (for H⁺) = 4.