Chapter 7, Problem 55P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether it would make any difference if we measure the rate of disappearance of reactants instead of the rate of appearance of the products in a chemical reaction. Explain.

Concept introduction:

Rate of reaction can be defined as the decrease in concentration of a reactant or increase in concentration of a product with a change in time.

In a chemical reaction, $\text{A}\to \text{B}$

Rate of reaction = Rate of disappearance of the reactant (A) = Rate of appearance of the product (B).

Rate of reaction = $-\frac{\Delta [\text{A}]}{\Delta \text{t}}=\frac{\Delta [\text{B}]}{\Delta \text{t}}$.