alleryStart learning →What distinguishes an elementary reaction from an overall reaction?
AIt always involves at least three species
BIt always has a catalyst taking part in it
CIt takes place exactly as its equation shows
DIt always produces a coloured intermediate
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It takes place exactly as its equation shows
1. An elementary reaction happens in one act, exactly as its equation is written.
2. It cannot be broken down into any simpler step.
3. An overall equation, by contrast, is usually the sum of several such steps.
4. Elementary steps most often involve one or two species, so a minimum of three is wrong.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 "Kinetics", section 12.6 Reaction Mechanisms_
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