Instantaneous rate

[Alyssa Cheung-2J]

What does the expression (d [P])/dt signify? Does it denote the instantaneous rate at which the product is being formed? or something else entirely?

[RyanShielsLec3]

I like to think of instantaneous rate in terms of a graph like question 3 on weeks 9-10 Achieve. It is a point on the line in which meets with the tangent line. So, it is the rate of the reaction at the specific moment in time. That equation is the differential rate of products being formed, so at a specific moment at time, what is the rate at which products are formed.

[Maddy Barron 1L]

The instantaneous rate will be the slope of the tangent line! Recall that this will be the steepest at the very beginning of the graph, when the concentration is at its highest. As concentration progresses, the rate of the reaction will slowly decrease, which is why we see the line become less steep over time.