Reaction rate
Reaction rate (pronunciation: /riˈæk.ʃən reɪt/) is a term used in Chemistry and Biochemistry to describe the speed at which a Chemical reaction occurs.
Etymology
The term "Reaction rate" is derived from the English words "reaction", which refers to a process of responding or acting in response to something, and "rate", which refers to a measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure.
Definition
The Reaction rate is defined as the change in concentration of a substance in a given period of time. It is usually expressed in Molarity per second (M/s). The rate of a reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of reactants and inversely proportional to the activation energy of the reaction.
Factors affecting Reaction rate
Several factors can affect the Reaction rate, including the concentration of reactants, temperature, pressure, and the presence of a catalyst.
- Concentration: The higher the concentration of reactants, the faster the reaction rate. This is because there are more molecules available to react, increasing the likelihood of collisions between reactant molecules.
- Temperature: Increasing the temperature increases the reaction rate. This is because the molecules have more kinetic energy and therefore collide more frequently and with greater energy.
- Pressure: In reactions involving gases, increasing the pressure increases the reaction rate. This is because the molecules are closer together and therefore more likely to collide.
- Catalyst: A catalyst is a substance that increases the reaction rate without being consumed in the reaction. It does this by lowering the activation energy of the reaction.
Related terms
- Chemical kinetics: The study of reaction rates.
- Rate equation: An equation that describes the rate of a reaction in terms of the concentrations of the reactants.
- Rate constant: A proportionality constant in the rate equation.
- Activation energy: The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Reaction rate
- Wikipedia's article - Reaction rate
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