Questions: A rate expression for any product of a chemical reaction will always be: Select the correct answer below: positive negative zero depends on the reaction

A rate expression for any product of a chemical reaction will always be:

Select the correct answer below:
positive
negative
zero
depends on the reaction

Transcript text: A rate expression for any product of a chemical reaction will always be: Select the correct answer below: positive negative zero depends on the reaction

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding Rate Expressions

In chemical kinetics, the rate of a reaction is defined as the change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time. For a product, the rate of formation is typically expressed as a positive value because it represents an increase in concentration over time.

Step 2: Analyzing the Options

Positive: This is the expected sign for the rate of formation of a product, as it indicates an increase in concentration.
Negative: This would be applicable to reactants, as their concentration decreases over time.
Zero: This would imply no change in concentration, which is not typical for a product in an active reaction.
Depends on the reaction: While the rate can vary in magnitude, the sign for a product's rate of formation is consistently positive.

Step 3: Conclusion

The rate expression for any product of a chemical reaction is always positive, as it reflects the increase in concentration of the product over time.