What are the general steps to determine rate laws experimentally?
1. Run multiple trials with different reactant concentrations. 2. Observe how the rate changes with each concentration change. 3. Use this data to determine the reaction orders and rate constant.
What are the differences between differential and integrated rate laws?
Differential rate law: Shows how rate changes with concentration. | Integrated rate law: Shows how concentration changes with time.
What are the differences between intermediates and catalysts?
Intermediates: Species formed and consumed during the reaction, but not in the overall equation. | Catalysts: Substances that speed up a reaction without being consumed.
What is the definition of kinetics?
The study of reaction rates.
What is the definition of reaction rate?
The speed at which reactants are converted into products, measured by tracking the change in concentration of reactants or products over time.
What is the definition of rate law?
An equation that shows how the rate of a reaction depends on the concentrations of reactants; determined experimentally.
What is the definition of rate constant (k)?
A proportionality constant specific to each reaction at a given temperature, indicating how fast a reaction proceeds.
What is the definition of half-life?
The time it takes for the concentration of a reactant to decrease by half.
What is the definition of elementary reaction?
A single-step reaction where the rate law can be directly determined from its stoichiometry.
What is the definition of activation energy (Ea)?
The minimum energy needed for a reaction to occur; the energy difference between reactants and the activated complex.
What is the definition of reaction mechanism?
A series of elementary steps that describe how a reaction occurs.
What is the definition of a catalyst?
A substance that speeds up a reaction without being consumed by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy.
