Rate Constant

A rate constant is a number that describes how quickly a chemical reaction occurs under specific conditions. It reflects the inherent speed of the reaction without changing with the amount of substances involved. A higher rate constant means the reaction proceeds faster, while a lower one indicates a slower reaction. Factors like temperature and catalysts can affect the rate constant. Essentially, it quantifies the likelihood of reactant molecules successfully colliding and reacting, serving as a key parameter in understanding and predicting reaction behavior.