R
Rishtaara
Science · Class 12

Chemical Kinetics

Learn Chemical Kinetics with notes, examples, and practice questions.

3 sections15–25 min read6 MCQs · 2 examples

Chapter Overview

Chemical kinetics studies rate of reactions and factors affecting them — concentration, temperature, catalysts — and integrated rate laws for order determination.

Rate Laws

Rate

Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n

Zero order

[A] = [A]₀ − kt

First order

ln[A] = ln[A]₀ − kt ; t₁/₂ = 0.693/k

Arrhenius

k = Ae^(−E_a/RT)

Factors

  • Concentration: more collisions
  • Temperature: Arrhenius — more molecules exceed E_a
  • Catalyst: lowers E_a, not consumed
  • Surface area for heterogeneous reactions

Solved Examples

Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.

First order half-life

k=0.693 hr⁻¹.

  1. 1t₁/₂=1 hr

Answer

1 hour

Rate

Rate=k[A]², [A] doubles.

  1. 1Rate increases 4×

Answer

4 times faster

Key Points to Remember

  • Order from experiment, not equation
  • Molecularity for elementary steps
  • Rate-determining step in mechanism

Exam Tips

  • Plot ln[A] vs t for first order straight line
  • Units of k depend on order

Formula Cheat Sheet

Quick reference — NCERT board exam formulas

Rate Laws

  • Rate:Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n
  • Zero order:[A] = [A]₀ − kt
  • First order:ln[A] = ln[A]₀ − kt
  • Half-life (1st order):t₁/₂ = 0.693/k
  • Arrhenius:k = Ae^(−E_a/RT)

Practice MCQs — Chemical Kinetics

Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.

Question 1 of 6Score: 0/0

First order t₁/₂ =