Chemistry
Kinetics of Consecutive First-Order Reactions and the Steady-State Approximation
Quick fact
In a consecutive first-order reaction (A → B → C), the intermediate B's concentration peaks at a time given by tmax = ln(k₁/k₂)/(k₁ − k₂), which depends solely on the two rate constants.
Why this is interesting
Ever wondered why a reaction's intermediate concentration first rises, then falls, even though it is continually being formed? That rise and fall is the signature of consecutive reactions—and there is a clever trick that lets chemists simplify the math immensely.