initial rate

[Shaniya Kerns 4D]

How does initial rate law relate to the order of reaction?

[raina_bandekar_1G]

The initial rate law shows how the rate of a reaction changes with the concentrations of its reactants right at the start. The order of the reaction is just how much the rate depends on the concentrations of the reactants. If the rate law has an exponent of 1 for a reactant, it's a first-order reaction with respect to that reactant. If it has an exponent of 2, it's a second-order reaction, and so on. So, the initial rate law directly tells us the order of the reaction.