Warm up: AP Chemistry 5.1-5.3 Rate Laws

Front

What is a rate law?

Back

A rate law is an equation that relates the rate of a chemical reaction to the concentration of its reactants. It is expressed in the form: Rate = k [A]^m [B]^n, where k is the rate constant, and m and n are the orders of the reaction with respect to reactants A and B.

Front

Define the term 'rate constant'.

Back

The rate constant (k) is a proportionality factor in the rate law that is specific to a particular reaction at a given temperature. It indicates the speed of the reaction.

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What does it mean for a reaction to be first order?

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A reaction is first order if the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant. If the concentration doubles, the rate also doubles.

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What does it mean for a reaction to be second order?

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A reaction is second order if the rate of reaction is proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant or to the product of the concentrations of two reactants.

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How do you determine the overall order of a reaction?

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The overall order of a reaction is the sum of the orders with respect to each reactant in the rate law. For example, if Rate = k [A]^1 [B]^2, the overall order is 1 + 2 = 3.

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What is the significance of the rate exponent in a rate law?

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The rate exponent indicates the sensitivity of the reaction rate to changes in the concentration of a reactant. It shows how many times the rate changes when the concentration of that reactant is changed.

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How can you experimentally determine the order of a reaction?

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The order of a reaction can be determined by analyzing the change in reaction rate with varying concentrations of reactants, often using the method of initial rates.

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What is the method of initial rates?

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The method of initial rates involves measuring the initial rate of reaction at different concentrations of reactants to determine the order of the reaction with respect to each reactant.

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What is a zero-order reaction?

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A zero-order reaction is one where the rate of reaction is constant and independent of the concentration of the reactants. The rate remains the same regardless of changes in concentration.

Front

Explain the concept of half-life in the context of chemical reactions.

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Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a reactant to decrease to half of its initial concentration. It is a key concept in understanding reaction kinetics.