rate constant k

[Olivia L 4E]

Why is the rate constant k not negative for second order reactions?

[Kyle Golden Dis 2G]

Rate constants are never negative in any reactions. The value of k will always be positive.

[Simran Rai 4E]

You can think about it as a rate not proceeding negatively. It can be slow, or you can have a reverse rate, but a “negative” rate is not possible.

[maldonadojs]

With regards to the integrated rate law, this is due to the fact that when you are integrating the derivative, because of the integrated version being 1/[A] there happens to be a -1, but they divided the negative from the k over to cancel these out.