Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain what a reaction mechanism is and why most reactions happen in several elementary steps. (Guide: “The balanced equation hides the steps”; Practice Q7)
- I can explain why the coefficients of an overall equation do not tell me which particles collide. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q7)
- I can describe how the amount of an intermediate changes from the start of a reaction to the end. (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q4(d))
- I can explain the difference between an intermediate and a transition state. (Guide: “Intermediates exist only while the reaction runs”)
Skills
- I can add the steps of a mechanism, cancel species, and write the overall equation. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q4)
- I can tell when a step must happen more than once and use a multiplier before adding. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q5)
- I can identify the reactants, products, intermediates and catalysts in a mechanism. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q1, Q2)
- I can state the molecularity of each elementary step. (Practice Q4(c))
- I can decide whether a proposed mechanism is consistent with an overall equation, even when every step is balanced. (Practice Q3, Q6)
Reasoning
- I can use the order in which a species appears to argue that it is a catalyst rather than an intermediate. (Practice Q2, Q5(b))
- I can explain how detecting an intermediate supports one mechanism over another. (Guide: “Building evidence for a mechanism”; Practice Q6)
- I can explain why a mechanism that adds up correctly, or one supported by a detected intermediate, is still not proven. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6(c))
All ticked? Move on to Topic 5.8, Reaction Mechanism and Rate Law, or return to the course roadmap.