Rate of Chemical Reaction

Chemical reactions deal with reactants and products. As products are formed, reactants are used up. The rate at which reactants are used up and products formed changes with time. The rate of chemical reaction is the number of moles of reactants converted or products formed per unit time. In the reaction below;

\( \scriptsize Zn_{(s)} \; + \; H_2SO_{4(aq)} \; \rightarrow \; ZnSO_{4(aq)} \; + \; H_{2(g)} \)

a. Rate of reaction [based on consumption of Zn]

Rate = \( \frac{Amount\:of\:Zn\:used\:up}{Time\:taken} \)

b. Rate of reaction (based on consumption of H₂SO₄)

Rate = \( \frac{Amount\:of\:H_2SO_4 \: produced}{Time\:taken} \)