Question

Why is the rate constant important?

Answer 1

Hint: Rate constant gives us an idea about the factors on which the rate of a reaction depends. Knowing the rate constant will tell us the dependency of the molar concentration of the reactants with the speed of reaction.

Complete answer:
- The rate constant which is denoted by k is the constant which tells us about the relationship between the rate of chemical reactions and the molar concentration of the reactants.
- We can find out the rate constant experimentally by using the order of reaction and the molar concentrations of the reactants.
- The units of the rate constant depends on the order of that particular reaction. Also, we cannot say that the rate constant is a true constant. This is because the value of rate constant depends on temperature and other factors.
- The rate constant value of a reaction is so important because it works as an effective diagnostic tool. By looking at the value of the rate constant we can devise strategies to increase the efficiency of the reaction.
- Not only that we can find out the factors which induce the reactions to slow down as well as speed up. This knowledge will be very important to us in the fields of manufacturing of fertilizers, medicines and other different industries since we will have to look after maximum yield in minimum time.

Note:
Don’t confuse the rate of reaction with the rate constant of a reaction. Rate of reaction depends on the molar concentration of the products and the reactants while the rate constant depends especially on the temperature.