Methods of Determining Rates of Reaction

• Change in Mass

  Used primarily for reactions that produce a gas as a product. The rate of reaction is determined by measuring the decrease in mass of the reaction mixture over time using a balance.
• Change in Volume of Gas Produced

  Applicable to reactions that generate a gas. The volume of gas produced is measured using a gas syringe or an upside-down measuring cylinder in a water bath (can only be done if gas has low solubility in water), providing a rate based on gas volume change over time.
• Change in Transmission of Light (Spectrophotometry)

  For reactions that result in a color change, the rate can be determined by measuring changes in the light absorption or transmission through the solution using a spectrophotometer.
• Change in Concentration Using Titration

  This method involves periodically removing small samples from the reaction mixture, quenching the reaction (stopping it), and then titrating the sample to determine the concentration of a reactant or product at various times.
• Change in Concentration Using Conductivity

  Suitable for reactions involving ionic species, where the change in electrical conductivity of the solution over time reflects changes in ion concentration, indicating the reaction rate.
• Non-Continuous Methods of Detecting Change During a Reaction

  These methods include techniques that do not continuously monitor the reaction progress but instead take discrete measurements at intervals.