posted by Jamie .
The reaction X + Y --> products was studied using the method of initial rates. The initial rate of consumption of X was measured in three different experiments. What is the value of the rate constant, k?
*concentrations are in mol/L and initial rates are in molL-1s-1
My first step was to determine the rate law. However, I got r=k[X]^-1[Y]^2
I check this over numerous times and don't know what I'm doing wrong because you can't have a negative exponent in a rate law.. can you?!
In general, the orders (exponents) in a rate law can turn out to be positive or negative rational numbers, so -1 is a possibility.