Question

Question #962e0

Answer 1

For a second order reaction, the kinetic law for the initial rate `V` of a reaction is: `V = k[A][B] or V = k[R]^2`, e.g. the initial rate is proportional to the product of two concentrations, where A, B and R are reactants.

Explanation:

The simplest mechanistic explanation of second order is that the rate determining step consisists of a transformative, or effective collision between the two species A+B or R+R.

In fact reactive collisions are as much probable as more concentrated are the species involved.

However, more complicated mechanisms can be put forward to give the same mathematical dependance for the reaction rate from reactants' concentrations.

The true mechanism for a specific reaction in a given solvent, should be confirmed by more experimental information, besides the kinetic law.