The rate of a chemical reaction: including graphs
I can describe what happens during a chemical reaction as it progresses over time and interpret graphs showing how the instantaneous rate of the reaction changes.
The rate of a chemical reaction: including graphs
I can describe what happens during a chemical reaction as it progresses over time and interpret graphs showing how the instantaneous rate of the reaction changes.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Most chemical reactions start more quickly and slow down as they progress.
- The rate of a chemical reaction is equal to the amount of product formed per unit time (or reactant used per unit time).
- The mean rate of a chemical reaction is different to the instantaneous rate that changes throughout the reaction.
- Graphs of mass, volume, or concentration vs. time can all represent the changing rate of a chemical reaction.
- The gradient of a rate of reaction graph can be calculated from a tangent drawn at a point on the curve.
Common misconception
To calculate the instantaneous rate of reaction by reading values from the graph at a specific time.
Students need to draw a tangent in order to calculate the gradient of the graph at a specific time to work out the instantaneous rate of reaction.
Keywords
Rate of reaction - Rate of reaction is the speed with which a chemical reaction takes place.
Mean rate of reaction - The mean rate of reaction is the average rate at which reactants are converted into products over a given period of time.
Instantaneous rate of reaction - The instantaneous rate of reaction is the rate at which reactants are converted into products at a specific moment in time.
Tangent - A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at exactly one point without crossing it.
Gradient - The gradient on a graph represents the rate at which one quantity changes relative to another.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the rate in which reactants form products in a given period of time
the rate in which reactants form products at a specific moment in time
a straight line that touches a curve at exactly one point
represents the rate at which one quantity changes relative to another