Summary
Highlights
One method to measure reaction rate is by observing how quickly reactants decrease. An example is the reaction between marble chips (calcium carbonate) and hydrochloric acid, where the mass loss due to carbon dioxide gas production can be measured and plotted over time. The rate of reaction at any point can be determined from the gradient of the graph, which shows the rate slows down as the reaction progresses.
The second method involves measuring how quickly products increase. Using the same reaction, the gain in volume of carbon dioxide gas produced can be measured and plotted against time. Similar to the first method, the rate of reaction is derived from the gradient of this graph, and also demonstrates a decrease in rate as the reaction proceeds.
In summary, reaction rate measures how fast reactants convert to products. It can be assessed by tracking the decrease in reactants or the increase in products. Generally, the rate of reaction slows down over time.
Reaction rate is defined as the measure of how quickly reactants in a chemical reaction transform into products.