Safety boundary
Use energy-profile diagrams, supplied datasets, and approved simulations only. No catalyst/reaction demonstrations are required.
Explicit chemistry instruction
This investigation compares two or more proposed mechanisms against experimental evidence.
Preserve the supplied rate behavior, intermediates, and energy profiles before ranking models.
A stronger mechanism explains both overall stoichiometry and observed kinetics with fewer unsupported assumptions.
Vocabulary: mechanism evidence; rate law; intermediate; energy profile; model comparison.
Worked example
Mechanism A reproduces stoichiometry but predicts dependence on a reactant absent from the observed rate pattern; Mechanism B matches both. Evidence favors B.
Guided question
What two evidence types should a proposed mechanism explain?
Independent work
- Preserve the supplied evidence table.
- Check whether each mechanism sums to the overall reaction.
- Compare predicted/observed rate behavior.
- Rank mechanisms and state uncertainty.
Investigation / Data Lab
Use supplied mechanism, rate, and energy-profile evidence. Preserve the comparison matrix, residual conflicts, uncertainty, and one revision.
Misconception check
A mechanism that balances atoms but fails the kinetics test is not well supported.
Formative check
What makes one mechanism stronger than another?
Reveal response
Better agreement with multiple independent evidence streams.
Mentor evidence conference
Ask Archaemenes to audit mechanism consistency, rate evidence, catalyst claims, and model limits.
Teacher guidance
Foundation: Use a mechanism-comparison matrix.
Core: Rank competing models.
Extended: Discuss nonuniqueness and additional tests.