| Topic |
Concepts |
Experiment |
| Reaction Rates |
The stopped-flow technique and its use in studying chemical reactions is described. The speed or rate of a reaction is discussed. |
Concentration vs time plots are recorded for reactants and product in a chemical reaction. Characteristic features for rates of change in the concentrations of reactants and product are explored. |
| Rate of Reaction |
The relationships between the relative rates of change in concentration of reactants and products is discussed. The general expression for the rate of reaction is presented. |
The stoichiometric coefficients for a chemical equation are determined by comparing the slopes of concentration-time plots for the reactants and products. |
| Differential Rate Laws |
Differential rate laws for zero-, first-, and second-order reactions are described and explained. |
The differential rate law and the rate constant are determined for a reaction by examining how the rate of reaction varies with the reactant concentration. |
| Integrated Rate Laws |
Integrated rate laws for zero-, first-, and second-order reactions are described and explained. |
The rate law and the rate constant are determined for a reaction by preparing characteristic kinetics plots from concentration-time data. |
| Half-life |
The half-life of a reaction is defined and explained. |
The half-life is measured for various initial concentrations for zero-, first-, and second-order reactions. The data is analyzed graphically to determine the relationship between the half-life and reactant concentration for each order reaction and to determine the rate constant for each reaction. |
| Method of Initial Rates |
The determination of a rate law by the Method of Initial Rates is described. |
The rate law and rate constant for a reaction is determined using the Method of Initial Rates. |
| Isolation Method |
The determination of a rate law by the Isolation Method is described. |
The rate law and rate constant for a reaction is determined using the Isolation Method. |
| Kinetics of the Bromate-Bromide Ion Reaction |
The reaction between bromate ion and bromide ion in acidic aqueous solution is described. |
The rate law and rate constant for the bromate-bromide ion reaction is determined. A selection of solutions and a stopped-flow apparatus are available. Students must devise their own experimental strategy for determining the rate law and the rate constant. |
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