Mechanism multiple choice questions

Question 1) For a reaction 2A + B 2C, with the rate equation: Rate = k[A][B]2
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

The order with respect to A is 1 and the order overall is 1.

The order with respect to A is 1 and the order overall is 3.
The order with respect to A is 2 and the order overall is 3.
The order with respect to B is 2 and the order overall is 2.
The order with respect to B is 1 and the order overall is 3.

Question 2) In a reaction mechanism, the rate determining step is the:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Fastest and has the lowest activation energy.

Fastest and has the highest activation energy.
Slowest and has the lowest activation energy.
Slowest and has the highest activation energy.

Question 3) What are the units of k when; r = k[A][C]?

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

s-1
s
dm3 mol-1 s-1
dm2 mol-2 s-1
dm3 s2 mol-2

Question 4) Consider the following reaction mechanism:

Step1: ICl + H2 HI + HCl slow
Step 2: ICl + HI HCl + I2 fast
The species HCl is a:
a)
b)
c)
d)

product
catalyst
reactant
reaction intermediate

Question 5) Suppose the reaction: A + 2B AB2 occurs by the following

mechanism:
A + B AB
Step 1
slow
AB + B AB2
Step 2
fast
A + 2B AB2
Overall
The rate equation must be r =
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

k[A]
k[B]
k[A][B]
k[B]2
k[A][B]2

Question 6) A possible mechanism for the reaction, 2A + B C + D, is:

A + A A2
(1)
fast, equilibrium
A2 + A A3
(2)
slow
A3 + B A + C + D
(3)
fast
According to the mechanism, the rate equation will be:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Rate = k[A]2
Rate = k[A][B]
Rate = k[A]2[B]
Rate = k[A]3
Rate = k[A] [A2]

Question 7) At 300 K, the following reaction is found to obey the rate law: Rate = k[NOCl] 2:
2NOCl 2NO + Cl2
Consider the three postulated mechanisms given below. Then choose the response
that lists all those that are possibly correct and no others.
NOCl NO + Cl
Mechanism 1
slow
Cl + NOCl NOCl2
fast
NOCl2 + NO 2NO + Cl2
fast
Overall: 2NOCl 2NO + Cl2
Mechanism 2

2NOCl NOCl2 + NO
NOCl2 NO + Cl2
Overall: 2NOCl 2NO + Cl2

slow
fast

Mechanism 3

NOCl
NO + Cl
NOCl + Cl NO + Cl2
Overall: 2NOCl 2NO + Cl2

fast, equilibrium
slow

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

2, 3
3
1
2
1, 2

Question 8) A correct reaction mechanism for a given reaction usually is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

The same as its balanced chemical equation.

Obvious if its heat of reaction is known.
Obvious if its reaction order is known.
Sometimes difficult to prove.
Obvious if its activation energy is known.

Question 9) For the reaction, 2H2S(g) + O2(g) 2S(s) + 2H2O(l), which one of the
following statements is absolutely true?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

The reaction is first order with respect to H 2S and second order with respect to O2.
The reaction is fourth order overall.
The rate law is: rate = k[H2S]2[O2].
The rate law is: rate = k[H2S][O2].
The rate law cannot be determined from the information given.

Question 10) Consider the following reaction mechanism:

Step 1: V3+ + Cu2+ V4+ + Cu+
Step 2: Cu+ + Fe3+ Cu2+ + Fe2+ slow
The reaction intermediate is:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Cu+
Cu2+
V3+
Fe3+

Question 11) Increasing the concentration of which of the following substances

would cause the greatest increase in the reaction rate?
2NO N2O2
N2O2 + H2 H2O +N2O
N2O + H2 N2 +N2O

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
a)
b)
c)
d)

Fast
Slow
Fast

H2
NO
N2O
H2O

Question 12) A proposed mechanism for a reaction is

Step 1
H3O+ + I- HI + H2O
Step 2
H2O2 + HI H2O + HOI
Step 3
HOI + H3O+ + I- 2H2O + I2
Step 4
I2 + I- I3The rate equation could be:
a)
b)
c)
d)

r = k [H2O2] [HOI]
r = k [H3O+] [H2O2]
r = k [H2O2] 2 [HI]2
r = k [H2O2] [HI]

Fast
Slow
Fast
Fast

Question 13) The rate law for the reaction: 2NO2 + O3 N2O5 + O2 is rate = k[NO2][O3].
Which of the following mechanisms is consistent with this rate equation?
a)
2 NO2 N2O4 fast
N2O4 + O3 N2O5 + O2 slow
b)

NO2 + O3 NO5 fast

2 NO5 N2O5 + 5/2 O2 slow

c)

NO2 + O3 NO3 + O2 slow

NO3 + NO2 N2O5 fast

d)

2 NO2 N2O2 + O2 slow

N2O2 + O3 N2O5 fast

Question 14) The reaction H2O2 (aq) + 3I- (aq) + 2H+ (aq) 2H2O (l) + I3- (aq) has an
observed rate law rate = k [H2O2] [I-] [H+]
A mechanism is proposed for the overall reaction. Which elementary reaction below
could be the rate-determining step of the proposed mechanism?
a) H2O2 (aq) + 3 I- (aq) + 2 H+ (aq) 2 H2O (l) + I3- (aq)
b) H2O2 (aq) + I- (aq) + 2 H+ (aq) H2O (l) + OI- (aq)
c) H2O2 (aq) + I- (aq) + H+ (aq) H2O (l) + HOI (aq)
d) none of these elementary steps can be the rate-determining step