Answer:
Confirmation of the rate expression does not prove the mechanism is correct. The rate expression only tells us the order of the reaction, but it does not tell us the mechanism. The mechanism is the step-by-step process by which the reaction occurs. There are many different mechanisms that can give the same rate expression. For example, the reaction A + B -> C can have the following two mechanisms:
A + B -> AB* -> C
A + B -> [AB] -> C
Both of these mechanisms have the same rate expression, but they are different mechanisms. The first mechanism is a two-step mechanism, and the second mechanism is a one-step mechanism.
In order to prove the mechanism is correct, we need to gather experimental evidence that supports the mechanism. This evidence can come from a variety of sources, such as kinetic studies, product analysis, and spectroscopic studies.
Step-by-step explanation: