Chemistry / Unit 9 Chem 1703 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Elementary Reactions and Reaction Mechanisms
Captions available
The idea
A reaction mechanism is the sequence of elementary reactions, each occurring exactly as written, that sum to a reaction's overall equation.
In practice
Ozone's decomposition proceeds through two elementary steps summing to the overall equation, though no step shows two ozone molecules colliding.
Where people slip
A mechanism's steps are literal bond-breaking and bond-forming events, unlike an overall equation, which shows only net substances.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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