Question

How do the rate of a reaction and its rate constant differ?

Short answer

The rate of a reaction is proportional to its rate constant, and it typically increases with the concentration of reactants.

Step-by-step solution

Rate of reaction

A rate of reaction is a change in concentration per unit of time

\(\begin{array}{l}{\bf{Rate for A }} \to {\bf{B:}}\\{\bf{Rate = }}\,\frac{{{\bf{\Delta (B)}}}}{{{\bf{\Delta t}}}}{\bf{ = - }}\frac{{{\bf{\Delta (A)}}}}{{{\bf{\Delta t}}}}\end{array}\)

The rate of a reaction is proportional to its rate constant, and it typically increases with the concentration of reactants.

Rate constant

Rate = K[A]^m [B]ⁿ

A rate constant (K) is a characteristic property of a reaction that indicates its intrinsic speed of reaction; the high value of the rate constant is characteristic of a rapid reaction. The rate constant for a given reaction does not change unless the temperature changes.