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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Chain reaction, chain carrier?

Also known as: chain reaction · chain carrier

Definition 13.1 University Chemistry — Year 3 · Chapter 13 — Complex Kinetics: Chains, Enzymes and Oscillations

A chain reaction is a reaction in which reactive intermediates, the chain carriers, are regenerated by a cycle of propagation steps, so that one initiation event converts many reactant molecules.

The propagation cycle of the hydrogen–bromine chain: each turn consumes one H2 and one Br2, makes two HBr and gives back the bromine atom that started it. Initiation feeds the cycle with carriers, termination removes them; the inhibition step turns an H atom back into Br at the cost of an HBr already made.
The propagation cycle of the hydrogen–bromine chain: each turn consumes one HX2\ce{H2} and one BrX2\ce{Br2}, makes two HBr and gives back the bromine atom that started it. Initiation feeds the cycle with carriers, termination removes them; the inhibition step turns an H atom back into Br at the cost of an HBr already made.
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