Skip to content
Answer the following in brief · Q1

Q.i. How instantaneous rate of reaction is determined?

Maharashtra MsbshseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
25% · 25/100 Questions
✓ Free question

Step 1. The concentration of a reactant or product is measured experimentally at many closely spaced time points and plotted against time.

Step 2. Early in the reaction the curve is steep (rapid change); it flattens progressively as the reaction slows.

Step 3. To find the rate at one specific instant t1t_1, a straight tangent line is drawn touching the curve exactly at t1t_1.

Step 4. The slope of this tangent line is the instantaneous rate at t1t_1, formally written dc/dtdc/dt (replacing the average-rate Δc/Δt\Delta c/\Delta t with a true derivative).

✓Final answer

The instantaneous rate is found by measuring reactant/product concentration at closely spaced time intervals, plotting concentration versus time, drawing a tangent to the curve at the chosen instant, and taking the slope of that tangent (dc/dt) as the instantaneous rate.

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.