Answer to Question #231019 in Chemical Engineering for Lucky

Question

2)What is the steady state approximation?

Answer 1

Let us consider consecutive reaction means the reaction in series. In these reaction intermediate is formed.

A------>I------>C

A is the reactant

I is the Intermediate

C is the product

dC/dt=K₂l

dI/dt=0 steady state approximation

It means the concentration of intermediate product with respect to time is constant

Overall rate law

dI/dt = K₁A-K₂I

At steady state approximation

0=K₁A-K₂I

K₁A=K₂I. ---------(1)

From above equation it is clear that the rate of consumption of intermediate is equal to the rate of formation of intemediate

I=K₁A/K₂

We also use steady state approximation because the rate law expression is in terms of reactants not in terms of intermediate.