Elementary steps are the individual reactions that occur in a chemical process, particularly in a multi-step reaction mechanism. Each elementary step represents a specific event where reactants are transformed into products, often involving the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. These steps can be classified as unimolecular, bimolecular, or termolecular, depending on the number of reactant molecules involved. The overall reaction rate is influenced by the slowest elementary step, known as the rate-determining step. Understanding these steps helps chemists predict reaction behavior and design better catalysts. This knowledge is essential in fields like organic chemistry and biochemistry.