What is the rate of a reaction and how can you determine it experimentally?

The rate of a reaction is the rate at which reagents are used up and product are formed. Reaction rates depend on concentration. A typical rate law is rate=k*[A]m*[B]n. To find the values of m and n we will keep the value of [B] constant and plot [A] vs t (time). If the plot is linear then the order with respect to A is 0, so m=0. If this is not the case, we plot ln[A] vs t. If the plot is linear then it is a first order with respect to A and m=1. If neither of these happen we plot 1/[A] vs t. If the plot is linear than we have a second order reaction with respect to A and m=2. The same method is applied to find out the value of n.

AC
Answered by Antonia C. Chemistry tutor

2262 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I balance redox equations in acidic reactions, without trial and error, using half equations?


Using your knowledge of periodicity and atomic structure, why does the first ionisation energy decrease moving down a group yet increase moving along a period in the periodic table?


What is the difference between pH and pKa?


At 25 °C, the initial rate of reaction is 3.1 × 10−3 mol dm−3 s−1 when the initial concentration of C is 0.48 mol dm−3 and the initial concentration of D is 0.23 mol dm−3 . Calculate a value for the rate constant at this T when rate = k [C][D].


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning