Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The rate law is an equation that relates the reaction rate with concentrations or pressures of reactants and constant parameters.
Related terms
Rate Equation: This is the mathematical representation of a rate law, showing the relationship between reaction rate and concentration of reactants. It’s like specific instructions in our cookie recipe – e.g., “Mix 2 cups flour with 1 cup sugar”.
In multi-step reactions, this is slowest step that determines overall reaction speed. It’s like waiting for dough to chill in fridge – no matter how fast we mix ingredients, we can’t proceed until dough has chilled.
This formulates relation between concentration of reactants and time; it helps predict amounts at any given point during reaction. It’s like knowing exactly when our cookies will be perfectly baked based on oven temperature and initial dough amount.