Reaction Rates

The speed at which a reaction occurs is its reaction rate.  In general, the rate of a reaction can be changed by changing these experimental variables:

• the concentration of the reacting species (pressure of gases)
• the surface area in a heterogeneous reaction
• the temperature
• the presence of catalysts

In an imaginary reaction R P, the reaction rate is defined by

Rate = k_f[R], where:

• Rate is the rate of the forward reaction
• k_f is the rate constant in the forward direction
• [R] is the concentration of the reacting species

Similarily, for the reverse of the above reaction, P   R, the reaction rate is defined by

Rate = k_r[P], where:

• Rate is the rate of the reverse reaction
• k_r is the rate constant in the reverse direction
• [P] is the concentration of the resultant species