Gesamtreaktionsrate
The **Gesamtreaktionsrate** (German for "total reaction rate") refers to the overall rate at which a chemical reaction proceeds under given conditions. It quantifies how quickly reactants are converted into products in a specified time frame and is a fundamental concept in chemical kinetics. The rate depends on factors such as concentration of reactants, temperature, catalysts, and reaction mechanisms.
In homogeneous reactions, the overall reaction rate is typically expressed as the change in concentration of
r = −(1/a) d[A]/dt = −(1/b) d[B]/dt = (1/c) d[C]/dt = (1/d) d[D]/dt
The negative sign indicates that reactants are consumed, while products accumulate. The rate law for a reaction
Temperature plays a critical role in determining the overall reaction rate, as described by the Arrhenius equation:
k = A e^(−Ea/RT)
where *k* is the rate constant, *A* is the pre-exponential factor, *Ea* is the activation energy, *R*
Catalysts can also significantly alter the overall reaction rate by providing an alternative reaction pathway with