The reaction cannot be an elementary process.
In an elementary process, the rate law is determined solely by the stoichiometry of the reaction and the coefficients of the reactants involved. The exponents in the rate law represent the reaction orders with respect to each reactant, which correspond to the number of molecules of that reactant involved in the elementary step.
The given rate law, rate \(= k[A][B]^{(3/2)}\), indicates that the reaction rate depends on the concentration of reactant A raised to the first power and the concentration of reactant B raised to the power of 3/2. This implies that the reaction rate is influenced by the square root of the concentration of B.
In an elementary process, the exponents in the rate law must be integers or whole numbers. However, the presence of the exponent 3/2 for the concentration of B suggests that the reaction is not an elementary process.
Therefore, the correct answer is (2) No, the reaction cannot be an elementary process. |
