Reaction Rate
Definition
Reaction rate describes how quickly or slowly reactants turn into products in a chemical reaction.
Analogy
Imagine you're watching a movie. The speed at which the plot unfolds can be compared to the reaction rate. A fast-paced action movie where things happen quickly could represent a high reaction rate, while a slow, drawn-out drama might represent a low reaction rate.
Related terms
Catalyst: This is something that speeds up the reaction rate without being consumed in the process - like turning up the speed on your movie player!
Activation Energy: This is the minimum amount of energy needed for reactants to start reacting - like needing enough interest or excitement to actually start watching your movie.
Equilibrium: This is when forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates, so there's no net change in concentrations of reactants or products - like pausing your movie where nothing changes until you hit play again!
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