Identify the order of following reaction? 2 NO _ 2( ~g ) 2 NO _ ( g ) + O _ 2( ~g )

Step-by-step solution

The decomposition of nitrogen dioxide follows the reaction: 2 NO _ 2( g ) 2 NO _ ( g ) + O _ 2( g ) . Reaction order must be determined experimentally and cannot be inferred from stoichiometry. For NO ₂ decomposition, experimental data show the rate depends on the square of NO ₂ concentration. The rate law is: Rate = k[ NO ₂]^2 With an exponent of 2 for the only reactant, the reaction exhibits second-order kinetics. The order is therefore C .