Instantaneous rate

$aR \to bP, Rate = -\frac{1}{a} \frac{d[R]}{dt} = \frac{1}{b}\frac{d[P]}{dt}$

WYacob_2C
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:16 am

Instantaneous rate

Are we supposed to use the instantaneous rates when looking at the rates of reactants and products? If so, why?

chemboi
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Instantaneous rate

In general, I think Dr. Lavelle said so. If another commenter could clarify, that would be great!

Kyle Rex 1K
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Instantaneous rate

i think so because there are much more applications with the instantaneous rate law, such as differential rate law, integrated rate law, and for things like finding the half life of species and such

LNgo 1G
Posts: 100
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Instantaneous rate

We also learned how to calculate average rate of reaction. When would we use that equation rather than the instantaneous rate?

Ellen Amico 2L
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Instantaneous rate

Yes! They're more useful than average rates since they give us the concentration at any particular point in time (this is expressed as the derivative). From the instantaneous rates, we can derive differential rate laws, integrated rate laws, etc. since they're all based on the derivatives.