MHT CET · Chemistry · Chemical Kinetics

Which from following decides the rate of multistep reaction?

A rate of slowest step.
B rate of fastest step.
C average rate of various steps.
D instantaneous rate of fast step.

Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) rate of slowest step.

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

The correct answer is \((\mathrm{A})\) rate of slowest step.
In a multistep reaction, the overall rate of the reaction is determined by the rate of the slowest step, also known as the rate-determining step. This is because the slowest step acts as a bottleneck, limiting the overall rate at which the entire reaction proceeds. Even if other steps are faster, the overall rate cannot exceed the rate of the slowest step.

Apply the relevant identity from the chapter and substitute the values established in the previous step, keeping the original constraint in view.

Use the simplified expression to isolate the unknown, then plug the result back into the question setup to confirm the working is internally consistent.

Cross-check against a boundary or limiting case. Both the dimensional balance and the qualitative behaviour at the extreme should agree with the candidate answer.

Combine the steps above to identify the correct option. The remaining choices each fail at least one of the consistency, dimensional, or boundary checks.

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