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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Lesson 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