Rate constant

[Meachelle_Lum_1I]

Can rate constants be negative?

[Rogelio Bazan 1D]

In Kinetics and for the scope of this class, the rate constant will never be negative. The Arrhenius equation is always positive (otherwise, the rate constant would be Zero). If the rate constant was zero then this would indicate that the reaction is not occurring at all. Please, someone, correct me if I am wrong otherwise hope this helps.

[JT Wechsler 2B]

No, the rate constant will not be negative.

[Vanadium Wang 4H]

Rate constant k should always be positive.

From the Arrhenius Equation, we know k = A x exp(-Ea/RT).
"A" (frequency factor) will always be positive because (according to Google) there are no experimental cases where A is negative, and mathematically exp(-Ea/RT) can never be negative.

If rxn is 2nd order, line plot has a slope of +k.
If rxn is 1st or 0 order, line plot has a slope of -k.

[Yiting_Gong_4L]

the rate constant, k, will always be positive!