- 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)