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AP Chemistry Flashcards: Reaction Mechanisms And Rate Law

Study Reaction Mechanisms And Rate Law in AP Chemistry with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.

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What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Reaction Mechanisms And Rate Law, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Chemistry.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

AP Chemistry Flashcards: Reaction Mechanisms And Rate Law

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QUESTION

What is the molecularity of an elementary step A+2B→AB2A + 2B \rightarrow AB_2A+2B→AB2​?

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ANSWER

Termolecular. Count total molecules: 1 A + 2 B = 3 molecules.

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Flashcard 1: What is the molecularity of an elementary step A+2B→AB2A + 2B \rightarrow AB_2A+2B→AB2​?

Answer: Termolecular. Count total molecules: 1 A + 2 B = 3 molecules.

Flashcard 2: What is a termolecular reaction?

Answer: A reaction involving three reacting species in one step. Rare due to low probability of three-body collisions.

Flashcard 3: Which step in a reaction mechanism is the rate-determining step?

Answer: The slowest step. This step controls the overall reaction rate.

Flashcard 4: How do you find the overall order of a reaction?

Answer: Sum the exponents in the rate law. Add all concentration exponents in rate law.

Flashcard 5: What is the term for a species that appears in the mechanism but not in the overall reaction?

Answer: Intermediate. Formed during mechanism but cancels out overall.

Flashcard 6: Determine the rate law for the elementary reaction 2NO+O2→2NO22NO + O_2 \rightarrow 2NO_22NO+O2​→2NO2​.

Answer: Rate = k[NO]2[O2]k[NO]^2[O_2]k[NO]2[O2​]. For elementary reactions, stoichiometry equals rate law exponents.

Flashcard 7: What is the role of a catalyst in a reaction mechanism?

Answer: It lowers the activation energy, increasing reaction rate. Provides alternative pathway with lower energy barrier.

Flashcard 8: What is meant by the term 'elementary step' in a reaction mechanism?

Answer: A single reaction step with a single transition state. Cannot be broken down into simpler mechanistic steps.

Flashcard 9: What is an elementary reaction?

Answer: A reaction that occurs in a single step. Proceeds directly without intermediate steps.

Flashcard 10: Find and state the overall order of reaction for Rate = k[A][B]2k[A][B]^2k[A][B]2.

Answer:

  1. Add all exponents: 1+2=31 + 2 = 31+2=3.

Flashcard 11: What is a termolecular reaction?

Answer: A reaction involving three reacting species in one step. Rare due to low probability of three-body collisions.

Flashcard 12: What is the overall reaction order if Rate = k[A]0[B]1k[A]^0[B]^1k[A]0[B]1?

Answer:

  1. Sum exponents: 0+1=10 + 1 = 10+1=1.

Flashcard 13: What is a catalyst?

Answer: A substance that increases the reaction rate without being consumed. Speeds up reaction but remains unchanged overall.

Flashcard 14: Identify the molecularity of a single-step reaction involving two reactants.

Answer: Bimolecular. Two reactants means molecularity equals 2.

Flashcard 15: Define activation energy in the context of a reaction mechanism.

Answer: The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur. Energy barrier that must be overcome for reaction.

Flashcard 16: Identify the term for a reaction step that involves a single reactant.

Answer: Unimolecular. Only one molecule undergoes reaction in the step.

Flashcard 17: What units does the rate constant kkk have for a zero-order reaction?

Answer: M⋅s−1M\cdot s^{-1}M⋅s−1. Zero-order has units of concentration per time.

Flashcard 18: State the units of the rate constant kkk for a second-order reaction.

Answer: M−1s−1M^{-1}s^{-1}M−1s−1. Second-order reactions have units of reciprocal concentration per time.

Flashcard 19: What is the molecularity of an elementary step A+2B→AB2A + 2B \rightarrow AB_2A+2B→AB2​?

Answer: Termolecular. Count total molecules: 1 A + 2 B = 3 molecules.

Flashcard 20: Predict the rate law for the elementary reaction A2+B→A2BA_2 + B \rightarrow A_2BA2​+B→A2​B.

Answer: Rate = k[A2][B]k[A_2][B]k[A2​][B]. Stoichiometry directly gives rate law for elementary steps.

Flashcard 21: What is the order of reaction with respect to AAA if Rate = k[A]2k[A]^2k[A]2?

Answer:

  1. The exponent of [A][A][A] indicates second order with respect to AAA.

Flashcard 22: What is the difference between an intermediate and a catalyst in a reaction mechanism?

Answer: Intermediates are produced and consumed; catalysts are not consumed. Key distinction: intermediates appear then disappear in the mechanism.

Flashcard 23: What is the rate law for the elementary reaction 2A→A22A \rightarrow A_22A→A2​?

Answer: Rate = k[A]2k[A]^2k[A]2. Stoichiometry gives exponents for elementary reactions.

Flashcard 24: Determine the rate law for a unimolecular reaction involving AAA.

Answer: Rate = k[A]k[A]k[A]. Unimolecular means first order in the single reactant.

Flashcard 25: What is a termolecular reaction?

Answer: A reaction involving three reacting species in one step. Rare due to low probability of three-body collisions.

Flashcard 26: Which step in a reaction mechanism is the rate-determining step?

Answer: The slowest step. This step controls the overall reaction rate.

Flashcard 27: How do you find the overall order of a reaction?

Answer: Sum the exponents in the rate law. Add all concentration exponents in rate law.

Flashcard 28: Find and state the overall order of reaction for Rate = k[A][B]2k[A][B]^2k[A][B]2.

Answer:

  1. Add all exponents: 1 + 2 = 3.

Flashcard 29: What is the term for a species that appears in the mechanism but not in the overall reaction?

Answer: Intermediate. Formed during mechanism but cancels out overall.

Flashcard 30: Determine the rate law for the elementary reaction 2NO+O2→2NO22NO + O_2 \rightarrow 2NO_22NO+O2​→2NO2​.

Answer: Rate = k[NO]2[O2]k[NO]^2[O_2]k[NO]2[O2​]. For elementary reactions, stoichiometry equals rate law exponents.