Questions: Question
The exponents in a rate law can be found:
Select the correct answer below:
from the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction
from the molar masses of the compounds
by experiment only
none of the above
FEEDBACK
MORE INSTRUCTION
Content attribution
Transcript text: Question
The exponents in a rate law can be found:
Select the correct answer below:
from the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction
from the molar masses of the compounds
by experiment only
none of the above
FEEDBACK
MORE INSTRUCTION
Content attribution
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding Rate Laws
A rate law expresses the rate of a chemical reaction as a function of the concentration of its reactants. The general form of a rate law is:
\[
\text{Rate} = k [A]^m [B]^n
\]
where \(k\) is the rate constant, and \(m\) and \(n\) are the exponents that indicate the order of the reaction with respect to reactants \(A\) and \(B\), respectively.
Step 2: Determining the Exponents
The exponents in a rate law, which represent the reaction order with respect to each reactant, are not necessarily related to the stoichiometric coefficients of the balanced chemical equation. Instead, they must be determined experimentally. This is because the rate law reflects the mechanism of the reaction, which may not be directly inferred from the stoichiometry.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options
From the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction: This is incorrect because the exponents in the rate law are not directly derived from stoichiometric coefficients.
From the molar masses of the compounds: This is incorrect because molar masses do not influence the exponents in the rate law.
By experiment only: This is correct because the exponents must be determined through experimental data.
None of the above: This is incorrect because there is a valid method (experimentation) to determine the exponents.
Final Answer
The exponents in a rate law can be found \(\boxed{\text{by experiment only}}\).