Macroscopic derivation of the kinetic mass-action law

Abstract

Using several reaction examples with experimentally determined rate equations, traditional mass action rate equations are shown to be simplified forms of polynomial approximation to a general rate function derived by non-equilibrium thermodynamics for a mixture of fluids with linear transport properties. The mass action kinetic law is thus proved also on the macroscopic level and limited to this type of fluids.Using several reaction examples with experimentally determined rate equations, traditional mass action rate equations are shown to be simplified forms of polynomial approximation to a general rate function derived by non-equilibrium thermodynamics for a mixture of fluids with linear transport properties. The mass action kinetic law is thus proved also on the macroscopic level and limited to this type of fluids.