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How to Calculate Rates From Relative Reactivity

Comparing the way in which various elements and molecules interact reveals a significant amount of information about their properties. Even without knowing which substance is which, chemists can perform simple tests and observe how quickly each element reacts. Relative reactivity describes the reaction rate of each element compared to the other reaction rates as a numerical ratio. Chemists can use that ratio to identify each element according to periodic trends. Knowing the relative reactivity of multiple substances, you can calculate the absolute reaction rate as well.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the reaction rate for one of the substances. Obtain a scatterplot of concentration of reactant versus time. A scatterplot shows two variables, such as concentration and time, on an XY graph as a series of points. Select two adjacent points on the plot, subtract the concentration at the later point from the concentration at the earlier point. Divide the difference by the amount of time between the two points. Multiply the result by -1 to show the rate as a positive value.

    • 2

      Record the above reaction rate. Label with which substance in the ratio it corresponds.

    • 3

      Divide the known reaction rate by the ratio value for that substance. For instance, if the reaction rate of lithium is 2.125 and the relative reactivity of lithium, sodium and potassium (respectively) is 3:5:12, then divide 2.125 by 3.

    • 4

      Multiply the result by the ratio value for the substance for which you want to determine the reaction rate. For example, 2.125 divided by 3 equals .7083. Multiplying the result by 5 provides a reaction rate of 3.542 for sodium.

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