Are either of the two mechanisms listed below valid for the stated reaction and

Question

Are either of the two mechanisms listed below valid for the stated reaction and experimental rate law?

2 H2(g) + 2 NO(g) --> N2(g) + 2 H2O(g)                        rate = k[NO]2[H2]

Mechanism 1:             

H2 + 2NO --> N2O + H2O slow

N2O + H2 --> N2 + H2O             fast

Mechanism 2:             

H2 + NO --> H2O + N                   fast

N + NO --> N2 + O                     slow

H2 + O --> H2O fast

Mechanism 1 is not valid because it does not add to give the overall reaction and mechanism 2 is invalid because the slow step is not physically reasonable.

Explanation / Answer

Mechanism 1 is valid only and mechanism 2 will not be valid because it does not provide the experimental rate law.

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