Composite Reactions & the Steady State Approximation

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Hint

A bimolecular reaction is one which involves two molecules (or atoms) in the elementary step.

The reaction NO + NO3 → 2NO2 is an example of a bimolecular reaction, since one molecule of NO reacts with one molecule of NO3.

A unimolecular reaction is one which involves one molecule (or atom) in the elementary step, and a termolecular reaction is one which involves three molecules (or atoms) in the elementary step.

Review Question

The reaction 2NO + O2 → 2NO2 is an example of a

Unimolecular Reaction

Bimolecular Reaction

Termolecular Reaction