Kinetics in Chemical Reactions

These flashcards provide key vocabulary and definitions related to the concepts of kinetics in chemical reactions, including factors affecting reaction rates and types of reactions.

Kinetics

The study of the rates at which chemical reactions occur.

Half-life

The time required for the concentration of a radioactive substance to reduce to half its initial value.

Collision theory

A theory stating that atoms, ions, and molecules must collide in order to react.

Concentration

A measure of the amount of substance in a given volume; higher concentration increases reaction rates.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles; higher temperature increases collisions and reaction rates.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.

Exothermic reaction

A reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat.

Endothermic reaction

A reaction that absorbs energy from the surroundings.

Activation energy (EA)

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Rate law

An equation that relates the rate of a reaction to the concentration of the reactants.

Instantaneous rate

The rate of a reaction at a specific moment in time.

Average rate

The change in concentration over a specified period of time.

Stoichiometric coefficient

The numerical coefficient in a balanced chemical equation indicating the ratio of reactants and products.

First-order reaction

A reaction in which the rate is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant.

Natural logarithm (ln)

The logarithm to the base e, useful for solving exponential equations.

Molarity

A way to express concentration, defined as moles of solute per liter of solution.

Kinetic energy

The energy possessed by a body due to its motion; higher kinetic energy increases the likelihood of collisions leading to reactions.

Integrated rate law

An equation that shows the relationship between concentration and time for a specific order of reaction.