Questions/Chemical Kinetics/Why can we not deter...
Rate Law & Order of ReactionChemical Kinetics

Why can we not determine the order of a reaction by taking into consideration the balanced chemical equation?

Expert Answer

The balanced equation represents the overall stoichiometry, not the mechanism. Many reactions occur in multiple steps (complex reactions), and the rate is determined by the slowest step, not necessarily the sum of all stoichiometric coefficients. Order is strictly experimental.

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