Chapter 14.6, Problem 14.14.1PE

Practice Exercise 1
An Alternative two-step reaction mechanism has been proposed for the reaction NO₂(g) + CO(g) → NO(g) + CO₂(g), which was discussed on page 597:

Step 1:NO₂(g) + NO₂(g) → N₂O₄(g) (slow)
Step 2:N₂O₄(g) + CO(g) → NO(g) +CO₂(g) +NO₂(g) (fast)
Which experiment would allow you to distinguish between the two proposed mechanisms?

1. Run trials with different initial concentrations NO_No22(g)(g) and measure the initial reaction rates.
2. Run trials with different initial concentrations of CO(g) and measure the initial reaction rates.
3. Conduct experiments to identify the reaction intermediate (s).
4. It is not possible to distinguish between the two proposed reaction mechanisms.