A proposed mechanism for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide consists of three elementary steps:
$$H_2O_2(g) \rightarrow 2OH(g)$$
$$H_2O_2(g) + OH(g) \rightarrow H_2O(g) + HO_2(g)$$
$$HO_2(g) + OH(g) \rightarrow H_2O(g) + O_2(g)$$
1st attempt
If the rate law for the reaction is first order in $H_2O_2$, which step in the mechanism is the rate-determining step?
Choose one:
O First step
O Second step
O Third step