Rates of Chemical Reactions

Reaction Rate

A measure of how quickly reactants change into products in a chemical reaction.

Reactants

Substances on the left side of a chemical equation that undergo change during a reaction.

Products

Substances on the right side of a chemical equation formed from the reactants.

Gradient (in a graph)

The slope of the line in a graph representing the rate of reaction; calculated as change in y over change in x.

Calcium Carbonate

A reactant represented as CaCO3, often used in reactions with acids.

Hydrochloric Acid

A strong acid represented as HCl, used as a reactant in the reaction with calcium carbonate.

Carbon Dioxide

A product (gas) released in the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid.

Volume of Gas

Used to measure the amount of product gas produced during a chemical reaction.

Decrease in Mass

A method of measuring reaction rate by monitoring the loss of mass of reactants.

Increase in Volume

A method of measuring reaction rate by monitoring the gain of volume of the products.

Rate of Reaction

Typically slows down as the reaction proceeds, indicating a decrease in the speed of reactants converting to products.

Collision Theory

A theory stating that for a reaction to occur, reacting particles must collide.

Diatomic Molecules

Molecules that consist of two atoms, which can be the same or different elements.

Fruitful Collision

A collision that results in a chemical reaction.

Orientation in Collisions

The specific arrangement of colliding particles that can affect whether a reaction occurs.

Sufficient Energy

The minimum amount of energy required for a collision to lead to a reaction.

Reacting Particles

The molecules or atoms that undergo a chemical reaction.

Reaction Example with Plasticine

An illustration of collision theory using yellow and red plasticine balls.

Correct Orientation

The alignment of reactant molecules that allows for a successful reaction to occur.

Chemical Reaction

A process in which substances (reactants) convert into different substances (products) through collisions.

Gas syringe

A device used to collect and measure the volume of gas produced in a reaction.

Change of mass

The method of measuring the mass lost as gas is released during a chemical reaction.

Precipitate

A solid that forms and settles out of a liquid mixture during a chemical reaction.

Mass balance

A scale used to accurately measure the mass of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.

Subjective method

A measurement method that relies on personal opinions, which may lead to inaccuracies.

Cloudiness

The obscuring of visibility in a solution caused by the formation of precipitates.

High resolution

The ability of an instrument, like a mass balance, to measure very small changes in quantity.

Disappearing mass

The mass that appears to decrease when gas is released into the environment.