Q.Assertion: Order and molecularity are same.
Reason: Order is determined experimentally and molecularity is the sum of the stoichiometric coefficient of rate determining elementary step.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Average Rate Of Reaction
Reaction Rate Stoichiometry – From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you are watching a simple reaction:
2NO2→2NO+O2
As NO₂ disappears, NO appears twice as fast as O₂ appears. Why? Because the balanced equation says: for every 2 molecules of NO₂ that break apart, you get 2 molecules of NO and 1 molecule of O₂. The numbers in front of the species — the stoichiometric coefficients — tell you the relative speeds at which reactants vanish and products appear.
That is the core idea: reaction rate stoichiometry is the relationship between the rates of change of different species in a chemical reaction, dictated by their coefficients in the balanced equation.
The Intuitive Picture
Think of a factory assembly line. The balanced equation is like a recipe:
- 2 units of raw material A → 2 units of product B + 1 unit of byproduct C
If the line runs steadily, every time 2 units of A are consumed, 2 units of B are produced and 1 unit of C is produced. So the rate at which A disappears must be twice the rate at which C appears. The rate at which B appears equals the rate at which A disappears (both have coefficient 2).
The stoichiometric coefficients are not speeds themselves — they are scaling factors that connect the speeds of different species.
The Precise Statement
For a general reaction:
aA+bB→cC+dD
The rate of reaction (often called the rate of the process, r) is defined as:
r=−a1dtd[A]=−b1dtd[B]=c1dtd[C]=d1dtd[D]
Here:
- dtd[X] is the instantaneous rate of change of concentration of species X (in mol L⁻¹ s⁻¹).
- The minus sign is used for reactants (their concentration decreases with time).
- The plus sign is used for products (their concentration increases with time).
- Dividing by the coefficient normalises the rate — so r is the same number for every species.
r=−a1dtd[A]=c1dtd[C]
This single value r is the intrinsic rate of the reaction, independent of which species you measure.
How to Use It (Step by Step)
Suppose you are given:
2H2+O2→2H2O
And you measure that dtd[H2]=−0.040 M/s (negative because H₂ is being consumed).
Step 1: Write the rate relation:
r=−21dtd[H2]=−11dtd[O2]=21dtd[H2O]
Step 2: Plug in the known value:
r=−21(−0.040)=+0.020 M/s
Step 3: Find the rate for O₂:
−dtd[O2]=r⇒dtd[O2]=−0.020 M/s
Step 4: Find the rate for H₂O:
21dtd[H2O]=r⇒dtd[H2O]=2r=0.040 M/s
A quick check: the coefficients tell you the relative rates. Here, H₂ disappears twice as fast as O₂, and H₂O appears at the same rate as H₂ disappears (both coefficient 2). Always verify your numbers match the coefficient ratios.
--- …
Why this formula?
Average Rate of Reaction — Why the Formula Holds
Let’s build this from the ground up. The goal is to understand why the average rate formula looks the way it does — not just memorise it.
1. What does "rate of reaction" mean physically?
A chemical reaction changes the concentration of reactants (decreasing) and products (increasing) over time.
- Rate = how fast this change happens.
- If you measure the change over a finite time interval, you get the average rate.
2. The core idea: change per unit time
For any quantity X that changes from X1 to X2 over time t1 to t2:
Average rate of change of X=ΔtΔX=t2−t1X2−X1
This is just the slope of the straight line connecting the two points on a concentration vs. time graph.
3. Applying this to a reaction
Consider a simple reaction:
A→B
- Reactant A is consumed: [A] decreases.
- Product B is formed: [B] increases.
For reactant A (disappearing):
Average rate=−ΔtΔ[A]
Why the minus sign?
Because Δ[A]=[A]2−[A]1 is negative (concentration drops). The rate itself must be positive (speed is never negative). So we multiply by −1.
For product B (appearing):
Average rate=+ΔtΔ[B]
Here Δ[B] is positive, so no minus sign needed.
4. The general formula for any reaction
For a balanced reaction:
aA+bB→cC+dD
The average rate is defined per mole of reaction — so it’s the same number regardless of which species you track.
We divide each ΔtΔ[species] by its stoichiometric coefficient:
Average rate=−a1ΔtΔ[A]=−b1ΔtΔ[B]=+c1ΔtΔ[C]=+d1ΔtΔ[D]
Why divide by the coefficient?
If 2 moles of A disappear for every 1 mole of C formed, then ΔtΔ[A] is twice as large as ΔtΔ[C]. Dividing by the coefficient normalises them to the same "per mole of reaction" rate.
5. Key exam point: the formula in one line
For any species X with stoichiometric coefficient νX (negative for reactants, positive for products):
Average rate=νX1ΔtΔ[X] …
Concept: Average Rate of Reaction — but here the focus is on the distinction between order and molecularity.
Reasoning:
- Assertion says "Order and molecularity are same." This is false. Order can be fractional, zero, or negative; molecularity is always a positive integer (1, 2, or rarely 3) and applies only to elementary steps.
- Reason says "Order is determined experimentally and molecularity is the sum of the stoichiometric coefficients of the rate-determining elementary step." This is a correct, standard definition of both terms. …
The assertion is FALSE — order and molecularity are not, in general, the same. The reason, however, is actually a TRUE statement (it correctly defines order as experimental and molecularity as the elementary-step coefficient sum). This is an "Assertion incorrect, Reason correct" case, which is not represented by any of the four listed options exactly as worded — option (iv) as printed ("Both assertion and reason are incorrect") is not correct, because the reason itself is true. This mismatch needs review of the option text (the standard fourth choice for this assertion–reason format is normally "Assertion is incorrect but reason is correct").
Assertion — "Order and molecularity are same" — is FALSE.
- Order is an experimental quantity: the sum of the powers of the concentration terms in the observed rate law. It may be zero, a whole number, or fractional, and depends on the mechanism.
- Molecularity is a theoretical quantity defined only for an elementary step: the number of species that come together in that step. It is always a small positive integer (1, 2, or rarely 3).
Order and molecularity coincide only for a single-step (elementary) reaction; in general they differ (e.g. acid-catalysed ester hydrolysis is experimentally first order overall, even though the mechanism is multi-step). So the assertion is wrong. …
Method: Assertion–Reason Analysis
This is a concept verification method — not a calculation. The goal is to check the truth of each statement and then see if the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.
Steps
-
Check the Assertion
- Assertion: "Order and molecularity are same."
- Fact: Order and molecularity are not always the same.
- Molecularity applies only to elementary steps (and is always a small integer).
- Order is experimental and can be fractional, zero, or negative — and applies to the overall reaction.
- Result: Assertion is incorrect.
-
Check the Reason
- Reason: "Order is determined experimentally and molecularity is the sum of the stoichiometric coefficient of rate determining elementary step."
- Fact:
- Order is indeed determined experimentally. ✓ …
Here’s a breakdown of the common mistakes students make on this question, along with how to avoid each.
Mistake 1: Thinking Order and Molecularity Are Always the Same
- The error: Students assume the assertion is correct because both terms describe the number of molecules involved in a reaction. They confuse the definition of molecularity with the experimental nature of order.
- Why it’s wrong: Order can be fractional, zero, or negative — molecularity is always a positive integer (1, 2, 3). They are not the same concept.
- How to avoid: Memorise the key difference:
- Order: Sum of exponents of concentration terms in the experimentally determined rate law.
- Molecularity: Number of molecules colliding in an elementary step (only for elementary reactions).
- Example: For 2NO+O2→2NO2, the order can be 2 (experimentally), but molecularity of the rate-determining step might be 3 (if it’s a single step). They can match only for elementary reactions — not always.
Mistake 2: Misinterpreting the Reason Statement
- The error: Students think the reason is correct because “molecularity is the sum of stoichiometric coefficients of the rate-determining step” sounds familiar. They forget that molecularity is defined only for an elementary step, not for the overall reaction.
- Why it’s wrong: The reason says “sum of stoichiometric coefficients of rate determining elementary step” — this is correct for molecularity. But the assertion is false, so the reason cannot explain it.
- How to avoid: Always check the truth value of each statement separately before linking them. Write:
- Assertion: False (order ≠ molecularity in general).
- Reason: True (molecularity = sum of coefficients in the rate-determining step).
- Then decide: Since assertion is false, options (i), (ii), (iii) are all invalid. Only (iv) fits.
Mistake 3: Confusing “Correct Explanation” with “Correct Statement”
- The error: Students see both statements as individually correct and automatically pick (i) or (ii). They forget to check whether the reason actually explains the assertion.
- Why it’s wrong: Even if both were true (which they aren’t here), the reason does not explain why order and molecularity are the same — it actually highlights a difference (experimental vs theoretical).
- How to avoid: After verifying truth values, ask: “Does the reason logically lead to the assertion?” If not, even if both are true, the answer is (ii), not (i).
Mistake 4: Forgetting That Order Is Experimental, Molecularity Is Theoretical
- The error: Students treat both as theoretical concepts derived from the balanced equation.
- Why it’s wrong: Order comes from experimental data (e.g., initial rate method). Molecularity comes from mechanism (theoretical).
- How to avoid: Remember the mnemonic: Order = Observed (experiment), Molecularity = Mechanism (theory). If a question says “order is determined experimentally,” that part is always correct. …
- KCET 2025Set D-41 markMCQQ.In the given graph:
Ea for the reverse reaction will be (A) 125 KJ (B) 215 KJ (C) 90 KJ (D) 305 KJ
›Reveal solutionSolution
On an energy profile the forward and backward barriers are both measured to the same peak, so Ea(reverse)=Ea(forward)−ΔH=215−90=125 kJ.
Step 1 — Read the graph.
From the described energy profile:
- The reactants sit at the lower level.
- The curve rises to a peak (the activated complex / transition state).
- The products sit at a higher level than the reactants — so the reaction is endothermic.
- Ea(forward)=215 kJ — measured from reactants up to the peak.
- ΔH=+90 kJ — measured from reactants up to products.
Step 2 — Set an energy scale.
Put the reactants at zero:
E(reactants)=0 kJ
E(peak)=0+Ea(f)=215 kJ
E(products)=0+ΔH=90 kJ
Step 3 — The reverse activation energy.
Running the reaction backwards, the molecules start at the products and must climb to the same peak (the transition state is common to both directions — this is the principle of microscopic reversibility):
Ea(reverse)=E(peak)−E(products)=215−90=125 kJ
Step 4 — Verify with the general relation.
For any reaction, …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.For the reaction, A+3 B→2C+D, the concentration of A changes from 0.0150 to 0.0125 in 1 minute. The rate of formation of C in mol L−1 s−1 is: (A) 6.32×10−5 (B) 8.32×10−5 (C) 3.26×10−5 (D) 2.5×10−5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rate of reaction =4.17×10−5, and rate of formation of C is twice this =8.32×10−5 mol L−1s−1. Official key: (B).
Working
For A+3B→2C+D, the rate of reaction is
Rate=−dtd[A]=+21dtd[C]
The change in [A] over 1 minute (=60 s):
−ΔtΔ[A]=600.0150−0.0125=600.0025=4.17×10−5 mol L−1s−1
Since C has a stoichiometric coefficient of 2, its rate of formation is twice the rate of reaction: …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.The rate of appearance of bromine is related to the disappearance of bromide ion in the equation given below is: BrO3−(aq) +5Br−(aq) +6H+→3Br2(l)+3H2O(l) (A) dtd[Br2]=35dtd[Br−] (B) dtd[Br2]=−51dtd[Br−] (C) dtd[Br2]=53dtd[Br−] (D) dtd[Br2]=−53dtd[Br−]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rate of appearance of a product and the rate of disappearance of a reactant are linked by stoichiometric coefficients, with opposite signs. For the given reaction, the correct relation is dtd[Br2]=−53dtd[Br−], which corresponds to option (D).
The key idea is that for a chemical reaction, the rate can be expressed in terms of any reactant or product, but we must account for stoichiometry and sign conventions. The rate of disappearance of a reactant is negative (its concentration decreases), while the rate of appearance of a product is positive (its concentration increases). To relate them, we divide each rate by its stoichiometric coefficient and set them equal in magnitude, then adjust signs.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Write the general rate expression. For a reaction aA+bB→cC+dD, the rate is defined as:
Rate=−a1dtd[A]=−b1dtd[B]=c1dtd[C]=d1dtd[D]
The negative signs for reactants ensure the rate is positive (since dtd[reactant] is negative).
- Identify the species and coefficients. In the given reaction:
BrO3−+5Br−+6H+→3Br2+3H2O
We care about Br− (reactant, coefficient 5) and Br2 (product, coefficient 3).
- Set up the equality from the general rate. Using the definition:
−51dtd[Br−]=31dtd[Br2]
The left side has a negative sign because Br− is a reactant; the right side has no negative sign because Br2 is a product.
- Solve for the desired relation. Multiply both sides by 3:
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.For a reaction 5X+Y→3Z, the rate of formation of Z is 2.4×10−5 mol L−1 s−1 Calculate the average rate of disappearance of X. (A) 4.8×10−7 mol L−1 s−1 (B) 13.33×10−6 mol L−1 s−1 (C) 4.0×10−5 mol L−1 s−1 (D) 12.0×10−5 mol L−1 s−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that reaction rates for different species are linked by stoichiometric coefficients. For the reaction 5X+Y→3Z, the rate of disappearance of X is 35 times the rate of formation of Z, giving 4.0×10−5mol L−1s−1.
The core concept here is stoichiometric rate relationships. In a chemical reaction, the rate at which reactants disappear and products appear are not independent — they are tied together by the coefficients in the balanced equation. This is because for every 5 molecules of X that react, 3 molecules of Z are formed. So the rate of change of concentration for each species must be scaled by its coefficient to give the same "overall reaction rate."
Why this works:
If we define the rate of reaction as r=−51dtd[X]=−11dtd[Y]=31dtd[Z], then knowing any one of these rates lets us find the others by simple multiplication or division by the appropriate coefficient ratio.
- Write the general rate relationship For the reaction 5X+Y→3Z, the rate of reaction r is:
r=−51dtd[X]=31dtd[Z]
The negative sign indicates disappearance (decrease in concentration), while positive indicates formation.
- Identify what we know We are given the rate of formation of Z:
dtd[Z]=2.4×10−5mol L−1s−1
- Relate the rate of disappearance of X to the rate of formation of Z From the equality above:
−51dtd[X]=31dtd[Z]
Multiply both sides by −5:
dtd[X]=−35dtd[Z] …
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.The equation showing the decomposition of Dinitrogen pentoxide is as follows : N2O5(g) -> N2O4(g) + 1/2 O2(g) If the initial pressure is 250 mm and after half an hour of the reaction the total pressure of the gaseous mixture is 296 mm, what is the average rate of the reaction ? (A) 4.04 * 10^-3 atm min^-1 (B) -2.02 * 10^-3 atm min^-1 (C) 2.19 * 10^-2 atm min^-1 (D) 1.09 * 10^-2 atm min^-1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The pressure rise fixes the N2O5 consumed at 92 mm; converting to atm over 30 min gives 4.04×10−3 atm min−1.
Pressure bookkeeping (N2O5→N2O4+21O2), let x = mm of N2O5 reacted:
Ptotal=(250−x)+x+2x=250+2x
250+2x=296⇒x=92 mm …
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.The rate constant of a reaction is given by k=PZe−Ea/RT under standard notation. In order to speed up the reaction, which of the following factors has to be decreased ? (A) T (B) Z (C) Both Z and T (D) Ea
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rate constant k increases when the activation energy Ea is decreased, because k depends exponentially on −Ea/RT; the correct answer is (D).
The Arrhenius equation k=Ae−Ea/RT (where A=PZ in the given notation) tells us exactly how temperature and activation energy control reaction speed. The exponential term e−Ea/RT is the key: it represents the fraction of molecules that have enough energy to overcome the activation barrier. To speed up a reaction, we want k to be larger — so we need that exponential term to be as large as possible.
Since the exponent is negative, making Ea smaller makes the exponent less negative, which increases e−Ea/RT. Making T larger also makes the exponent less negative (because RT is in the denominator), so increasing temperature speeds up the reaction. But the question asks which factor has to be decreased to speed up the reaction.
Let’s check each option carefully.
-
Option (A): T — Temperature appears in the denominator of the exponent. Decreasing T makes Ea/RT larger, so the exponent becomes more negative, and k gets smaller. That slows the reaction down, not speeds it up. So this is wrong.
-
Option (B): Z — Z is the collision frequency factor (part of the pre-exponential term PZ). It multiplies the exponential directly: k=(PZ)e−Ea/RT. Decreasing Z reduces the pre-factor, which reduces k. That also slows the reaction. So this is wrong too.
-
Option (C): Both Z and T — Since decreasing either one slows the reaction, decreasing both certainly won’t speed it up. This is incorrect. …
-
- KCET 2018Set A-11 markMCQQ.VERSION: 14-A 34. The temperature coefficient of a reaction is 2. When the temperature is increased from 30∘C to 90∘C, the rate of reaction is increased by (A) 150 times (B) 410 times (C) 72 times (D) 64 times
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rate ratio =(temperature coefficient)ΔT/10=260/10=26=64.
Step 1 — Meaning of the temperature coefficient.
The temperature coefficient μ of a reaction is defined as the ratio of the rate constants for a 10∘C rise:
μ=kTkT+10
For most reactions μ≈2–3 (the familiar 'rate roughly doubles for every 10∘C rise' rule). Here μ=2.
Step 2 — Count the 10∘ intervals.
ΔT=90∘C−30∘C=60∘C
n=10ΔT=1060=6
Step 3 — Compound the factor.
The effect is multiplicative, not additive — each successive 10∘ step multiplies the rate by 2 again: …
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