Chemical KineticshardMCQ MULTIPLE

When applying the fundamental Steady State Approximation (SSA) directly to a highly transient chemicChemical Kinetics Chemistry Question

Question

When applying the fundamental Steady State Approximation (SSA) directly to a highly transient chemical intermediate $I$ generated within a complex multi-step kinetic mechanism, which of the following analytical assumptions are strictly deployed?

Answer: A,B,C

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statements A, B, and C collectively define the Steady State Approximation. Because the intermediate is highly reactive (A), it is consumed as fast as it is produced (B), which mathematically justifies setting its net rate of change $\frac{d[I]}{dt}$ to zero (C). Statement D is factually incorrect; if the intermediate formed the product in a slow step, it would bottleneck and accumulate, entirely violating the SSA premises.

💬
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes
Ask on WhatsApp →

Practice 22,000+ questions like this

AI-adaptive practice, video lectures, and full IChO (Chemistry Olympiad) content — all in one place.

JEE Advanced · JEE Mains · NEET · IChO · AP Chemistry