# What you understand by “Order of reaction”? [closed]

When studying Kinetic chemistry (and most of the Physical chemistry topics), we often find definitions based upon the mathematical formalism. For example, Order of reaction is often defined as the sum of the partial order of a Rate law. But is there a way to define it without using the mathematical formalism? I mean, if we think microscopically, how would we define Order of reaction?

• See Wikipedia article Rate Equation -- Gist the order of the reaction is the sum of the product's coefficients is the reaction is an elementary reaction. If not an elementary reaction, then the sum of the exponents from the rate equation. – MaxW Apr 6 '20 at 21:31
• Out of curiosity, what is "kinetic chemistry"? I know there is physical chemistry, and thermodynamics and kinetics are the branches within; "kinetic chemistry" is something new to me. And if you mean kinetics, then the above-mentioned Wikipedia articles pretty much answers your question. – andselisk Apr 6 '20 at 21:31
• I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because sometimes, you just gotta invoke math in order to understand things in the mathematical sense. – Todd Minehardt Apr 7 '20 at 1:24