Rate of Reaction

Rate of reaction is a fundamental concept in the study of chemistry and in daily life. Students have had a lot of experience of different rates of change s in their previous learning. For example, students should know that rusting is a slow process but the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen can be extremely rapid. Furthermore, there is always a strong need for ways to control the rates of changes. In short, this topic attempts to help students to build up concepts related to rate of reaction.

Students will learn different methods that can be used to follow the progress of a reaction and the factors that affect the rate of reaction. Equipment and apparatus in the school laboratory should be able to provide students with such experience. With the use of more sophisticated instruments such as suitable sensors and data logging system, investigations or practical work can be performed in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Catalysis plays an important role in both research and chemical industries. Students should be aware of the fact that practically all chemical reactions in large scale chemical plants involve the use of catalysts and that reactions occurring in living systems are catalysed by enzymes. Students can find a further study of catalysis in Topic XIII “Industrial Chemistry”.

The molar volume of gas es at room temperature and pressure is included in this topic for a complete stoichiometric treatment of chemical equations at this level of study.