Question

Explain how the method of initial rates allows us to derive a rate law that satisfies the provided data. Comment on the nature of the laws that can be produced by the method. Are only integral orders allowed?​

Answer 1

The rate law can be determined experimentally using the method of initial rates, where the instantaneous reaction rate is measured immediately on mixing the reactants. The process is repeated over several runs or trials, varying the concentration one reactant at a time. These runs can then be compared to elucidate how changing the concentration of each reactant affects the initial rate.

Some analysis of the IRM shows that its accuracy is
perfectly in accord with the usual standards of chemical
kinetics, and that in certain circumstances it is qualitatively
superior to integral methods. However, we by no means wish
to imply that the integral method may be discarded; in many
cases both methods are acceptable and may be used to cor-
roborate each other’s results.