2.What does it mean to “follow the course of a reaction”?
I would imagine it means to find the overall order of the reaction and make it in to a rate law equation.
That's part of it. It can mean, in addition, to knowing any intermediates formed and how they react/decompose as well as the equilibrium constant(s) and how it changes with T.
To fully understand what it means to "follow the course of a reaction," let's break it down step by step:
1. Determine the overall reaction: The first step is to identify the reactants and products involved in the chemical reaction you are studying. For example, if you have the reaction A + B -> C, you need to establish this as the overall reaction.
2. Identify the order of the reaction: The order of a reaction refers to the dependence of the reaction rate on the concentration of reactants. To determine the order, you need to conduct experiments where the initial concentrations of the reactants are varied and the reaction rate is measured. By comparing the rate data, you can establish the order of the reaction with respect to each reactant and the overall order of the reaction.
3. Write the rate law equation: The rate law equation expresses the relationship between the rate of the reaction and the concentrations of the reactants. Once you know the reaction order, you can write the rate law equation using the general form: rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, where k is the rate constant and m and n represent the reaction orders with respect to each reactant.
4. Determine any intermediates: In some cases, a reaction may proceed through intermediate steps before reaching the final products. To fully follow the course of the reaction, you need to identify these intermediates and understand how they form and react. This information can help provide a more complete picture of the overall reaction mechanism.
5. Understand equilibrium constants: If the reaction reaches an equilibrium state, it is important to know the equilibrium constant(s) associated with the reaction. This constant indicates the extent to which the reaction proceeds in the forward direction versus the reverse direction at equilibrium. Furthermore, the equilibrium constant(s) can change with temperature, so understanding this relationship will enhance your understanding of the reaction course.
By following these steps, you can effectively "follow the course of a reaction" by determining the overall order, writing the rate law, identifying intermediates, and understanding any equilibrium constants. This comprehensive approach allows for a more thorough understanding of the reaction's behavior and mechanism.