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IB Diploma Chemistry HL · Reactivity 2.2 & 2.3 (AHL) — rate laws, mechanisms and Kc
Mini-Lesson

Rate laws and equilibrium calculations (AHL)

This Additional Higher Level mini-lesson covers Reactivity 2.2 & 2.3: rate laws and order, the rate constant, the rate-determining step, the Arrhenius equation, and Kc calculations.

rate lawsmechanismsKc & ICE Reactivity 2 (AHL) — how fast and how far, quantified

Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go (some are wordy, some are calculations) and collect ⭐ stars. Press Start when you're ready.

AHL — Reactivity 2.2

Rate laws and order

The rate law is found by experiment, not from the equation:

rate = k[A]ᵐ[B]ⁿm and n are the orders; overall order = m + n

Order shows how rate responds to concentration: zero order (no effect), first order (∝), second order (∝ square).

AHL — Reactivity 2.2

Finding order from data

Using the initial-rates method: if doubling [A] doubles the rate, it is first order in A; if it quadruples the rate, second order. The rate constant k is then found by substituting one experiment into the rate law.

AHL calculate

Rate constant

1A reaction is second order in A: rate = k[A]². When [A] = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ the rate is 4.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ s⁻¹. Calculate k.
mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹
k = rate ÷ [A]² = 4.0 × 10⁻³ ÷ (0.10)².
AHL — Reactivity 2.2

Mechanisms and the RDS

A reaction proceeds by elementary steps. The rate-determining step (RDS) is the slowest step; only species involved up to and including the RDS appear in the rate law. The molecularity of the RDS matches the orders.

AHL — Reactivity 2.2

The Arrhenius equation

Temperature dependence of k is described by:

k = A e^(−Ea/RT)a plot of ln k against 1/T has gradient −Ea/R

Higher temperature (or a catalyst lowering Ea) increases k.

AHL check

What order means

?If a reaction is zero order in reactant B, then changing [B]:
AHL — Reactivity 2.3

Kc from an ICE table

An ICE table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) tracks concentrations. Use the change (from the stoichiometry and the amount reacted) to find equilibrium concentrations, then substitute into the Kc expression.

AHL calculate

Evaluate Kc

2For N₂O₄ ⇌ 2NO₂, at equilibrium [N₂O₄] = 0.080 and [NO₂] = 0.040 mol dm⁻³. Calculate Kc.
Kc = [NO₂]² ÷ [N₂O₄] = 0.040² ÷ 0.080.
AHL — Reactivity 2.3

Linking Kc to Gibbs energy

Equilibrium position connects to thermodynamics:

ΔG° = −RT ln Klarge K → ΔG° strongly negative → products favoured
AHL check

K and ΔG°

?A reaction with a very large equilibrium constant K has a standard Gibbs energy change ΔG° that is:
Sort it

Which idea?

Tap a phrase, then the concept it belongs to.

📈 Rate law

⚙️ Mechanism

🌡️ Arrhenius

Match it

Match the term to its meaning

Tap an item on the left, then its match on the right.

Term
Meaning
Recap

The big ideas to know

Rate law: rate = k[A]ᵐ[B]ⁿ from experiment; overall order = m + n

Mechanism: rate-determining (slowest) step sets the rate law

Arrhenius: k = A e^(−Ea/RT); ln k vs 1/T gives −Ea/R

Kc: from ICE tables; ΔG° = −RT ln K links extent to spontaneity

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