Measuring Rates of Reactions (Leaving Cert Chemistry): Flashcards

Change in concentration per unit time of any one reactant or product

$\frac{\Delta \text{concentration}}{\Delta \text{time}}$

Rate of reactions producing gases (H₂, O₂, CO₂)

Zinc + dilute sulfuric acid → hydrogen gas

Gas produced displaces water in graduated cylinder

Rapid increase at first, then slows down

Steep initial slope, gradually flattening, final plateau

At start when reactant concentrations are highest

Total change in volume ÷ total time

Draw tangent line to curve at specific time point

Shows reaction speed at maximum reactant concentrations

Instantaneous rate at that time

Reaction stopped; one reactant completely used up