6.1 Rates of Reaction

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• Chemical Kinetics: the study of different methods in which we make the chemical reactions go faster or slower.
• Rate of Reaction: describes over a period of time:   * how fast or slow a product is formed.   * how fast or slow a reactant us consumed (used up).

Measuring Reaction Rates

• If a reaction produces a gas we can measure the volume and/or pressure as the reaction progresses.
• If a reaction produces ions, we can measure the change in conductivity.
• If a reaction changes its colour we can measure the intensity of a coloured reactant or product.
• In a neutralization we can measure pH changes.

Calculating Reaction Rates, R

• Ra = (delta) A / (delta) t
• Where:   * Ra = rate of reaction for reactant / product A (how fast is A being used up or produced)   * (delta) A = change in concentration of A (A final - A initial)   * (delta) t = amount of time (t final - t initial)

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