2.1.3.P16
The concentration of a chemical, A, is often written a "[A]". Since we are using square brackets to tell us to do a dimensional analysis, we will instead use the notation "cA" to represent the concentration of a chemical A. We express dimensionality to show how different measurements must be combined to create the quantity involved: in powers of M (measured by a scale), L (measured by a ruler), and T (measured by a clock).The dimensionality of a concentration is number/unit volume, [c] = 1/L3.
1. If the chemical reaction
has rate constants kf for the forward reaction and kr for the reverse reaction, then (in the absence of a catalyst) the rate of change of the concentration of the chemical AB is given by
If this is so, are the dimensionalities of kf and kr the same?
Explain the reasoning you used to make your decision.
2. What is the dimensionality of the rate constant kf ?
Joe Redish 10/21/16