Because vibrational motions will often change during a course of a reaction, due to the making and breaking of bonds, the frequencies will be affected, and the substitution of an isotope can provide insight into the reaction mechanism and rate law.
Karena gerakan vibrasi sering akan berubah selama jalannya reaksi, karena pembuatan dan pemutusan ikatan, maka frekuensi akan terpengaruh, dan substitusi isotop dapat memberikan wawasan ke dalam mekanisme reaksi dan hukum laju.