Rate of Reaction

The rate of reaction is a measurement of the

change in quantity of reactant or product
against time:
The change in amount of reactant or product
in any reaction which is chosen for the
purpose of measuring rate of reaction must
be observable and measurable.
The possible observable and measurable
changes are:
a. Decrease in the mass of reactant.
b. Increase in the mass of product.
c. Increase in volume of gas released.
d. Formation of precipitate as a product.
e. Change in pH, temperature or electrical
conductivity.

The rate of reaction is high if the reaction
occurs fast within a short period of time.
The rate of reaction is low if the reaction
occurs slowly within a long period of time.
Measuring the rate of reaction
The rate of reaction can be measured from the
graph of decrease of amount reactant against
time or increase in amount of product against
time.

Two ways to measure the rate of reaction
a. Average rate of reaction within a period of
time.
b. Instantaneous rate of reaction (rate of
reaction at any given time).
Average rate of reaction
For a reaction that involves releasing of gas in
certain time interval, the average rate of
reaction can be determined from the graph as
follows:
Instantaneous rate of reaction
(rate of reaction at any given time)
Rate of reaction at any given time is obtained
from the gradient of the graph of the amount
of reactant/product against time.
Examples
Factors affecting the rate of reaction
The rate of reaction is affected by:
a. size of solid reactant
b. concentration of solution (for the reactant
used in the form of solution)
c. temperature of solution at which the reaction
occurs
d. presence of catalyst (for a particular reaction)
e. pressure of gas reactant


Chemistry Module
Collision Theory