Application of Derivatives in Acid/Base Chemical Reactions

by Jashal Patel

Submitted : Spring 2018

Chemists analyze reaction rates over time in the laboratory setting using acid/base titrations for most testing. A glass titration tube is used with units on it to see how much of a reactant is inputted into a reaction. Then with the use of an indicator one can observe the transition of the reactant from base to acid or visa/versa. The speed or rate of the reaction is determined with a derivative. The derivative takes in account time, a rate constant, and the concentration of the reactant.

Diving deeper into the topic, we come up with a integral rate law in which it integrates the properties of a differential rate law. Both are used to calculate the instantaneous rate law of a reactions. The instantaneous rate law provides the concentration of a reactant or product for specific time interval within the overall reaction period. Within the time frame, the instantaneous rate law can determine how fast it can produce products at a certain concentration or the rate it depletes reactants.

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