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
A second order reaction is another type of chemical reaction where the rate depends on either two different reactants' concentrations or square of concentration of single reactant.
Related terms
Bimolecular Reaction: This is when two molecules collide and interact in a second-order reaction. It's like our button-pressing game analogy - both players need to act together!
For second-order reactions, this equation describes how concentration changes over time. It’s like tracking how well you and your friend improve at hitting those buttons simultaneously as time goes by.
This term refers to the step-by-step sequence of reactions by which the overall chemical change occurs. In our game analogy, it's like understanding how hitting buttons together leads to unlocking those bonus points.