Chapter 16, Problem 41A

Explain what is meant by the average rate of a reaction.

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The meaning of the average rate of a reaction needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

In a chemical reaction, the reactants are written on the left side of the equation and the product is written on the right side.

The average rate of a reaction can be given by the formula,

Average reaction rate $\text{=}-\frac{\text{Δ}\left[\text{reactant}\right]}{\text{Δt}}$

Here, $\text{Δ}\left[\text{reactant}\right]$ = change in the concentration of the reactant

Answer to Problem 41A

The average rate of a reaction is the measure of the average amount of the reactant concentration that has changed in the given interval of time.

Explanation of Solution

The average rate of a reaction can be given by the formula,

Average reaction rate $\text{=}-\frac{\text{Δ}\left[\text{reactant}\right]}{\text{Δt}}$

Where, the change in the concentration of the reactant is given by $\text{Δ}\left[\text{reactant}\right]$ and $\text{Δt}$ is the change in time.

The average rate of a reaction is dependent on the duration of time of the reaction. Therefore, if the interval time is longer, then the reactant concentration change will also be greater. Hence, the average rate of a reaction is the measure of the average amount of the reactant concentration that has changed in the given interval of time.

Conclusion

The average rate of a reaction is the average amount of the reactant concentration that has changed in the given interval of time. It depends length of the time of the reaction.