Steady-State Approximation

Definition

The steady-state approximation is a method used in chemistry to simplify complex reaction mechanisms. It assumes that the concentration of certain intermediate species remains constant over the course of the reaction.

Related terms

Intermediate Species: These are substances that are formed during middle steps of a chemical reaction but do not appear in the final product.

Reaction Mechanism:

This refers to a series of elementary reactions or steps that describe how molecules rearrange during a chemical reaction.

Rate-Determining Step:

This is typically the slowest step in a sequence of reaction mechanisms, and it limits the final rate at which any reaction proceeds.