Rates of reaction - kinetics

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Chemical kinetics is the study of the rates of chemical reactions. A quantitative study of rates leads to the idea of a rate equation. Understanding rate equations helps chemists to control the rate of chemical changes and to explore the mechanisms of chemical reactions. So this topic gives answers to two important questions: 'How fast?' and 'How?'.
 
In this part of the site we answer general questions about the theory of chemical kinetics. We are asked a lot of questions about investigations, especially studies of the rate of reaction of metals with acid. You will find tutorials and FAQs about these investigations at 'Metals + Acids' investigations.
Tutorials on other investigations and general advice on planning and writing up investigations can be found under Practical Investigations.
 
NEW - Summer 2007
We have also now sorted and listed most of the questions we have received on this topic over the years - see Sorted questions on rates of reaction. The unsorted questions also still appear under 'Recently Asked Questions' at the end of this section.
 

back to A2 Chemistry

Tutorials

• Sorted FAQs on Rates of Reaction.
• 'Metals + Acids' investigations
• Logarithms and the rate equation
• Rates from concentration
• Rates and mechanisms: audio tutorial
• How does 'y = mx + c' relate to the Arrhenius equation?

Webguides

• Schoolhouse kinetics reaction
• Key ideas about rates of reaction
• Catalysts and how they work

Recently Asked Questions

• Analysing the results in an iodine and propanone experiment, on the volume of thiosulphate vs time graph: concentration = y axis and x axis = time. Would the concentration be cm³? However, when substituting values I need to use concentrations in mol dm^-3 so how do I change my titre values into mol dm^-3? 110310
• On a rate of reaction graph that is first order, does the straight line have to go through the origin (0,0)? Because my straight line does not, so is my graph wrong?
• Where do I find the activation enthalpy for my bromine clock reaction between bromide ions, bromate ions and protons? I've derived an answer myself using Arrhenius but need a comparison to check the validity of my results. 200210

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Tests

• Reaction kinetics (A2)

updated: 28 September 2009