What's the derivation of the 'Kinetic Equation' in Chemical kinetics?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The derivation of the 'Kinetic Equation' in chemical kinetics is rooted in the relationship between reaction rates and reactant concentrations. For a general reaction of the form aA + bB <-> cC + dD, the rate can be expressed as v = k[A]^m[B]^n, where k is the rate constant and m and n are the reaction orders. The first-order reaction indicates that the rate is proportional to the concentration of a single species, while second-order reactions involve the interaction of two species, leading to a rate proportional to the product of their concentrations. This formula was initially hypothesized based on theoretical reasoning and subsequently validated through experimental evidence.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic chemical reaction concepts
  • Familiarity with reaction order and rate laws
  • Knowledge of concentration and its role in reaction kinetics
  • Basic principles of experimental validation in chemistry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the rate law for first-order and second-order reactions
  • Explore the concept of reaction mechanisms and their relation to rate laws
  • Learn about the Arrhenius equation and its impact on reaction rates
  • Investigate experimental methods for determining reaction orders
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and researchers interested in understanding the foundational principles of chemical kinetics and the derivation of kinetic equations.

Ale_Rodo
Messages
32
Reaction score
6
Hi,

I'm following an introduction course to chemistry and I am reviewing the chapter on Chemical kinetics.
It's shown that the reaction speed for a certain component of a general chemical equation such as aA +bB <-> cC + dD , might be expressed as v = k[A]m[ B]m.

I was wondering where it does come from. It's just plain curiosity, I don't really need to know this for the upcoming exam but I would really appreciate if someone could give a rigorous derivation or a 'sense-full' logic interpretation of said formula.

Thank you in advance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
It goes something like this: For a first order reaction involving a single molecular species, the reaction rate has to be proportional to the amount of the species, as represented by its concentration. For a 2nd order reaction, involving interaction of two molecular species, the rate of the reaction depends on the frequency of encounters between the two species, which is proportional to the product of their concentrations.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Ale_Rodo
Was the formula first supposed like that and the experimentally proved?
 
Ale_Rodo said:
Was the formula first supposed like that and the experimentally proved?
If I understand your question correctly, then, pretty much yes.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Ale_Rodo
Chestermiller said:
If I understand your question correctly, then, pretty much yes.
Fair enough this time, thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
8K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
28K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K