Experimental Determination of Reaction Order Simple Systems

Experimental Determination of Reaction Order Simple Systems 

We are now equipped to consider in a more detailed fashion the interpretation of experimental results in terms of the various mathematical formalisms which we have developed for describing reaction orders. The practical problem is the converse of the problem we have considered. The problem presented by experimental data is to analyze it in such fashion as to fit it into one of the categories discussed. We shall consider in the present section a number of methods which have been generally employed for this task in the case of simple reaction systems. 

Method of Integration. If the rate of a given reaction depends directly on the concentration of starting reactants in a form 

Having finally decided on a reasonable selection of exponents, the data can be given the final test of calculating k at each point. 

Example. The reaction of sodium ethoxide, NaOC2H6, with ethyl dimethyl sulfonium iodide, (C2H6)(CH3)2SI, in absolute ethanol solution has been shown to lead to the following products  

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