Class 3

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Rates and Rate Expressions

Class 3 describes and defines reaction rates and empirical, theoretical, and mechanistic rate expressions. Rate coefficients and Arrhenius temperature dependence are introduced and explained.

Learning Outcomes

After completing Class 3 you should…

  • Know
    • the definition of net rate, forward rate, reverse rate, reaction mechanism, empirical, theoretical, and mechanistic rate expressions, pre-exponential factor, activation energy, and typical, auto-catalytic, product-inhibited, and reactant-inhibited reactions
    • the defining equations for reaction rate, species generation rate, the Arrhenius expression, instantaneous yield, and instantaneous selectivity
  • Understand
    • the functional form of rate expressions is only known a priori for elementary reactions
    • rate expressions must be experimentally validated
    • rate expressions must be single-valued and evaluate to zero at equilibrium
  • Be able to
    • renormalize a reaction rate
    • convert reaction rates to species generation rates and vice versa
    • write a power-law rate expression
    • modify a rate expression so that the rate it predicts goes to zero as equilibrium is approached
    • estimate Arrhenius expression parameters using experimental data
    • assess whether a quantity displays Arrhenius temperature dependence given either data or an expression for its dependence on temperature

Prepare

  • Read Chapter 3 of REB, The Book
  • Watch the Class 3 Preparation Video
  • Watch the Linear Least Squares Video

Attend

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Practice

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