How do you find the rate determining step from a graph?

1 Answer
Dr. Hayek
Aug 13, 2016

The rate determining step in a reaction mechanism is the slowest step. It is characterized by its high activation energy.

Explanation:

The rate determining step in a reaction mechanism is the slowest step. It is characterized by its high activation energy.

Consider the energy diagram represented below of a two-step mechanism.

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The first step is the slow step since it has the highest activation energy.

Here is more about this topic in the following video:
Chemical Kinetics | Reaction Mechanism.

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