Rate-Concentration Graphs (AQA A Level Chemistry)

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Rate-Concentration Graphs

Order of reaction from initial rate

  • The progress of the reaction can be followed by measuring the initial rates of the reaction using various initial concentrations of each reactant
  • These rates can then be plotted against time in a rate-time graph
  • In a zero-order reaction the rate doesn’t depend on the concentration of the reactant
    • The rate of the reaction therefore remains constant throughout the reaction
    • The graph is a horizontal line
    • The rate equation is rate = k

Reaction Kinetics - Zero Order Rate, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Rate-concentration graph of a zero-order reaction

  • In a first-order reaction the rate is directly proportional to the concentration of a reactant
    • The rate of the reaction increases as the concentration of the reactant increases
    • This means that the rate of the reaction decreases as the concentration of the reactant decreases when it gets used up during the reaction
    • The graph is a straight line
    • The rate equation is rate = k [A]

Reaction Kinetics - First Order Rate, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Rate-concentration graph of a first-order reaction

  • In a second-order reaction, the rate is directly proportional to the square of concentration of a reactant
    • The rate of the reaction increases more as the concentration of the reactant increases
    • This means that the rate of the reaction decreases more as the concentration of the reactant decreases when it gets used up during the reaction
    • The graph is a curved line
    • The rate equation is rate = k [A]2

Reaction Kinetics - Second Order Rate, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Rate-concentration graphs of a second-order reaction

Examiner Tip

Careful - sometimes when asked to complete calculations for k, the exam question will give you a graph which demonstrates the order of one of the reactants, as well as tabulated data to determine the order for the other reactants. Do not ignore the graph.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.