1. What is Reaction Rate?

The reaction rate is the speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction. It's typically expressed as the change in concentration of a reactant per unit time.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the rate equation:

Where:

• \( \Delta[\text{reactant}] \) — Change in reactant concentration (mol)
• \( \Delta t \) — Change in time (s)
• The negative sign indicates reactant consumption

Explanation: The equation measures how quickly a reactant is being consumed over a specific time period.

3. Importance of Reaction Rate

Details: Reaction rates are fundamental in chemical kinetics, helping predict reaction behavior, optimize industrial processes, and understand reaction mechanisms.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the change in reactant concentration in moles and the time interval in seconds. Time must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the rate negative for reactants?
A: The negative sign indicates that the reactant concentration decreases over time. For products, the rate would be positive.

Q2: What are typical units for reaction rate?
A: Common units are mol/s or mol·L⁻¹·s⁻¹ when using concentrations.

Q3: How does temperature affect reaction rate?
A: Generally, increasing temperature increases reaction rate according to the Arrhenius equation.

Q4: What's the difference between average and instantaneous rate?
A: Average rate is over a time interval, while instantaneous rate is at a specific moment (derivative).

Q5: Can this calculator be used for complex reactions?
A: This calculates simple rates. Complex reactions may require considering stoichiometric coefficients or multiple reactants.