What is the Difference Between Reaction Rate and Specific Rate Constant?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The reaction rate and specific rate constant are related but distinct concepts in chemical kinetics. Here are the key differences between them:
- Reaction Rate: This is an indication of the speed at which a reaction is converted to products. It is a parameter that determines how fast or slow the reaction is. The reaction rate depends on the concentration of reactants, catalyst, and temperature.
- Specific Rate Constant: This is a proportionality constant that relates the rate of the reaction to the concentrations of reactants when the concentration of each reactant is unity, i.e., one mole/dm³. The specific rate constant is a part of the reaction rate and depends on the temperature.
In summary, the reaction rate gives an indication of the speed at which a reaction occurs, while the specific rate constant is a part of the reaction rate that depends on the temperature and the concentrations of reactants when they are equal to unity. The specific rate constant cannot provide a valid statement of the reaction speed by itself, as it is only a part of the reaction rate.
Comparative Table: Reaction Rate vs Specific Rate Constant
The difference between reaction rate and specific rate constant can be summarized in the following table:
| Reaction Rate | Specific Rate Constant |
|---|---|
| Reaction rate gives an indication of the speed at which the reactions are converted to products. | The specific rate constant is a proportionality constant relating the rate of the reaction to the concentrations of reactants. It is unique to each experimental conditions and depends on factors like temperature. |
| It is typically expressed in units such as M/s or L/mol·s. | The units of the specific rate constant depend on the orders of the reaction. For example, for a first-order reaction, the units are s⁻¹; for a second-order reaction, the units are L/mol·s, and so on. |
| The rate law uses the molar concentrations of reactants to determine the reaction rate. | The rate law is written in relation to the reactant concentrations, and the specific rate constant (k) is derived from experimental data. |
In summary, the reaction rate represents the speed at which a chemical reaction occurs, while the specific rate constant is a proportionality factor that relates the reaction rate to the concentrations of reactants. Both the reaction rate and the specific rate constant are essential for understanding and predicting the behavior of chemical reactions.
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