Chapter 3

Some Good and Bad Examples of Critical Thinking Question

  1. Is the rate law expected to hold at a lower temperature?
    This question is not a good CTQ because it is superficial and not sufficiently penetrating. Better would be Under what conditions might the activation energy and reaction order change in temperature. This question is a good CTQ because it explores the assumptions under which the rat e law might change, such as in Langmuir Hinschelwood kinetics.

  2. What equations should I use to solve the problem?
    This question is not a good CTQ.

    A similar, but better question is, What thought process led you to choose the CSTR equation for the case of constant volumetric flow rates?
    This question asks to describe the assumptions needed to arrive at the CSTR equation.

  3. Do the experimental data taken to formulate the rate law justify the reaction order being in integer?
    This is a good CTQ because it probes the reason of perhaps rounding a reaction order of 1.8 up to a second order reaction when the evidence from the data support an order of 1.8.

  4. What are the consequences of make the reaction order in integer?
    This is a good CTQ because it probes implications and consequences.

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