1. What is Average Rate of Reaction?

The average rate of reaction is the change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time during a chemical reaction. It provides a measure of how quickly reactants are being consumed or products are being formed over a specific time interval.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the average rate equation:

Where:

• \( \text{Rate}_{\text{avg}} \) — Average reaction rate (mol/s)
• \( \Delta[\text{reactant}] \) — Change in reactant concentration (mol)
• \( \Delta t \) — Change in time (s)

Explanation: The negative sign indicates that the reactant concentration decreases with time. The rate is always expressed as a positive value.

3. Importance of Reaction Rate Calculation

Details: Calculating reaction rates is essential for understanding reaction kinetics, determining reaction mechanisms, and optimizing industrial chemical processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the change in reactant concentration in moles and the time interval in seconds. Both values must be valid (time > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the rate negative for reactants?
A: The negative sign indicates that reactant concentration decreases with time. By convention, reaction rates are expressed as positive values.

Q2: What's the difference between average and instantaneous rate?
A: Average rate is calculated over a time interval, while instantaneous rate is the rate at a specific moment in time.

Q3: How does concentration affect reaction rate?
A: Generally, higher reactant concentrations lead to faster reaction rates due to increased collision frequency.

Q4: What are typical units for reaction rate?
A: Common units are mol/L·s (molarity per second) or mol/s (moles per second), depending on the context.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for product formation rates?
A: Yes, but omit the negative sign when calculating product formation rates since product concentration increases with time.