Dictionary > First-order kinetics

First-order kinetics

Definition
noun
An order of chemical reaction in which the rate of the reaction depends on the concentration of only one reactant, and is proportional to the amount of the reactant.
Supplement
It may be represented by the equation, rate = kA, where k is the reaction rate constant, and A is the concentration of the reactant.
An example of a reaction in a first-order is the decomposition of N2o5:

N2o5 → 2NO2 + ½ O2
because the rate of reaction depends on the concentration of N2o5 raised to the first power.

Compare: second-order kinetics

See also: chemical kinetics, reactant, reaction rate constant, chemical reaction.


You will also like...

Endemic Flora of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Flora

If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems
Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems

There are many environmental factors that arise due to the usage of water in one way or another and for every action tha..

Cells in different stages of meiosis
Meiosis – The Genetics of Reproduction

Meiosis is a form of cell division that creates gametes. It is comprised of two divisions that in the end, the resulting..

Schematic diagram of bacterial lactose operon
Gene Action – Operon Hypothesis

Learn how the way genes control and determine every aspect of the body. This lesson uses lac operon as an example. ..

..

Freshwater Ecology
Freshwater Ecology

Freshwater ecology focuses on the relations of aquatic organisms to their freshwater habitats. There are two forms of co..

"Opabinia regalis"
The Evolutionary Development of Multicellular Organisms

Multicellular organisms evolved. The first ones were likely in the form of sponges. Multicellularity led to the evolutio..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics