Question:easy

Determine the order of reaction with respect to \( H_2O_2 \), \( I^- \) and overall order of reaction.

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Note that \( I^- \) acts as a catalyst because it appears in the rate law but is regenerated in Step II.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Go back to the rate law obtained from the slow step.
From the mechanism, $\text{Rate} = k[H_2O_2]^1[I^-]^1$. The order with respect to each species is simply the power it is raised to in this expression, not anything guessed from the overall balanced equation.
Step 2: Read off the individual orders.
$H_2O_2$ appears to the power 1, so the reaction is first order in $H_2O_2$. $I^-$ also appears to the power 1, so the reaction is first order in $I^-$ as well.
Step 3: Add them up for the overall order.
The overall order of a reaction is just the sum of all the individual orders, so here it comes to $1 + 1 = 2$.
\[ \boxed{\text{Order in } H_2O_2 = 1,\ \text{Order in } I^- = 1,\ \text{Overall order} = 2} \]
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