Question

For the following reactions, state the order with respect to each reactant and the overall order.

\[\ce{CHCl3_{(g)} + Cl2_{(g)} -> CCl_{(g)} + HCl_{(g)}}\] Rate = k [CHCl₃][Cl2]^1/2

Answer 1

For the reaction 

\[\ce{CHCl3_{(g)} + Cl2_{(g)} -> CCl_{(g)} + HCl_{(g)}}\]

with the given rate law:

Rate = k [CHCl₃][Cl2]^1/2

Order with respect to each reactant:

[CHCl₃] appears to the power of 1 → Order with respect to CHCl₃ = 1

[Cl₂] appears to the power of 1/2 → Order with respect to Cl2 = 1/2

Overall order of the reaction = `1 + 1/2 = 3/2`