In class, I remember Doctor Lavelle speaking about the units of k, the rate constant, however I wanted to clarify if the units of k can be different depending on the problem we are solving, or if they remain the same across all the problems in the chapter.
Mike
Rate Constant K
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Re: Rate Constant K
Units of K change depending on the overall order of the reaction. The units of k change so the concentration x rate constant always yields the same units for the rate. Here is a table from the book.
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Re: Rate Constant K
The units for k change with the different orders of reactions we solve. Homework question 15.9 shows this concept in a question form nicely. Because the units for time and concentration are constant, the units for k must change when we use natural logs versus 1/concentration and so forth.
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Re: Rate Constant K
He used moles and Molar as examples in the notes.
1st order: 1/s
2nd order: L/molxs or L/Mxs
and so on
1st order: 1/s
2nd order: L/molxs or L/Mxs
and so on
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Re: Rate Constant K
One thing that helps me when trying to figure out the units of K, is the fact that the rate will always end up having to be in (M/s) or Molarity/s, therefore you essentially are manipulating the units of K which as stated above can change depending on the order of the reaction in order to end up with M/S for the rate.
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