You have studied the gas-phase oxidation of HBr by O2:
4 HBr(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g) + 2 Br2(g)
You find the reaction to be first order with respect to HBr and first order with respect to O2. You propose the following mechanism:
HBr(g) + O2(g) → HOOBr(g)
HOOBr(g) + HBr(g) → 2 HOBr(g)
HOBr(g) + HBr(g) →H2O(g) + Br2(g)
(a) Confirm that the elementary reactions add to give the overall reaction.
(b) Based on the experimentally determined rate law, which step is rate determining?
(c) What are the intermediates in this mechanism?
(d) If you are unable to detect HOBr or HOOBr among the products, does this disprove your mechanism?