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JEE Main levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 2 of 3ck209

Which of the following statements about reaction mechanisms are correct?

  1. AThe rate-determining step is the slowest elementary step.
  2. BThe overall rate always equals the rate of the fastest elementary step.
  3. CAdding the elementary steps and cancelling intermediates gives the overall balanced equation.
  4. DAn intermediate is formed in one elementary step and consumed in a later one, and does not appear in the overall equation.

Answer: A, C, D

A mechanism is a set of elementary steps whose sum (intermediates cancelling) is the overall equation. The slowest step limits the overall rate, so the statement about the fastest step is false. The three other statements are standard and correct.
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