The apparatus needed depends on the nature of the product being
measured: The mass of a substance - solid, liquid or gas - is measured
with a balance The volume of a gas is usually measured with a gas
syringe, or sometimes an upside-down measuring cylinder or burette
Some reactions are slower than others. For
example: Rusting is a slow reaction Burning and
explosions are very fast reactions
Comparing rates
Graphs
The rate of reaction can be analysed by plotting
a graph of amount of product against time.
In a typical rates
experiment, the
mass or volume of
product is measured
at regular time
intervals. It is usual to
record these results
in a suitable table.
Limiting reactants
Directly Proportional
The amount of product formed in a reaction is
directly proportional to the amount of limiting
reactant used. This means that a graph showing
amount of product formed against amount of
limiting reactant will give a line that: Is straight,has a
positive gradient, passes through the origin (0,0)
A reaction stops when all the particles of one
of the reactants are used up. In a reaction
involving two reactants: The limiting reactant
is the one that is all used up at the end. The
reactant in excess, is still there at the end.
Calculating rates
Limiting reactant
Reactions happen when particles collide with
enough energy. The more reactant particles there
are to begin with, the more product can be formed.
This is why the amount of product formed is directly
proportional to the amount of limiting reactant used.
Rates from gradients
The rate of reaction can be
calculated from the gradient of a
graph of amount of product
against time of reaction
Make sure that the unit for rate matches the units used in the graph