finding reaction rates from graphs

Question 1

you can calculate the mean reaction rate from a graph

Answer 1

• a rate of reaction graph shows the amount of PRODUCT FORMED or amount of REACTANT USED UP on the Y-AXIS and TIME on the X-AXIS.
• so to find the MEAN RATE of the WHOLE REACTION, you just work out the OVERALL CHANGE in the y-value and DIVIDE THIS by the TOTAL TIME TAKEN for the reaction.

Question 2

draw a tangent to find the reaction rate at a particular point

Answer 2

• if you want to find the rate of the reaction at a particular point in time, you need to find the GRADIENT (slope) of the curve at that point.
• easiest way to do this is to draw a tangent to the curve- a straight line that touches the curve at one point and doesn’t cross it.
• then work out the gradient of the tangent.